you are not alone. We are all absorbing the crackdown on foreign visitors. I can just recommend that you check your phones and make sure it doesnt' have anything on there you don't want customs people to see. At entry, customs officials CAN and may do expedited screening, even of citizens returning. One tip: do not use fingerprint sign on to your phone but use password. You must open your phone with fingerprint if asked but you aer not required to tell them your password. IF you declined, youu could get your phone confiscated, though. So I plan to travel with a burner phone and a laptop that is clean so I don't have to worry about this when I go abroad. I don't have the bandwidth to go through 10000 photos and zillions of emails. They can also go through text messages, etc. Bottom line: make sure your phone or computer don't have anything that would worry you. Most people won't. But anyone going to pro-Palestinian protests should be aware that that content is a priority for admin. -ac
Amazing post. Thank you. We are US citizens in Mexico. Most of the focus on social media forums is on getting into Mexico for vacation and residency.
I am sharing this post on several forums as this article reinforces what we have been hearing anecdotally; that reentering the US as US passport holders is becoming an issue.
This is the most comprehensive guides I have seen. Thanks. While most of this is routine info for immigrants, the new details of targeting and tips for current political climate that’s buried in this is extremely useful. Will you keep updating this stack?
Yes will keep updating. And add for a few other visa categories.
If you have any specific questions, ask away.
I’m also keeping a list of all recent deportees (growing daily) and will be sharing that next week. Heard from attorneys to people inside ICE detention, confirming what Janice testified.
Thanks for taking all this trouble and producing such a helpful list! I wouldn’t go to the US if you paid me but it will certainly help a lot of people.
If a US citizen travels internationally and comes back to the US, is their laptop/phone subject to search? If a citizen is found to post messages critical of the administration on social media, or text messages critical of the administration to contacts, is it possible they could be detained, as well?
All travelers may be subjected to expedited search, though focus has been US visitors. See our substack on 8-part series for tips to keep your data safer while traveling.
You should assume you may be asked questions at return to US. CBD may ask you to look at anyone’s phone and electronics and social media.You. And you can say no but you may lose your phone if you do. Or get it back in a few weeks
You should make sure you remove any texts, photos or social media contents that could be deemed critical of US policy/admin or else travel w a secondary /burner phone. Lots of tips to secure your data and safer traveling. See our 8-pt seroes on tops tomkeep your data safer while traveling.
We cannot say if any US citizens would/will be detained. We can only encourage people to know
the risks and take steps before travelong to do w more security.
Hi Holly,
you are not alone. We are all absorbing the crackdown on foreign visitors. I can just recommend that you check your phones and make sure it doesnt' have anything on there you don't want customs people to see. At entry, customs officials CAN and may do expedited screening, even of citizens returning. One tip: do not use fingerprint sign on to your phone but use password. You must open your phone with fingerprint if asked but you aer not required to tell them your password. IF you declined, youu could get your phone confiscated, though. So I plan to travel with a burner phone and a laptop that is clean so I don't have to worry about this when I go abroad. I don't have the bandwidth to go through 10000 photos and zillions of emails. They can also go through text messages, etc. Bottom line: make sure your phone or computer don't have anything that would worry you. Most people won't. But anyone going to pro-Palestinian protests should be aware that that content is a priority for admin. -ac
This is what happens when government entities are privatized.
The more people ICE private “subcontractors” arrest, the longer they’re held, the more money they get.
THANK YOU SO MUCH for taking the time and energy to create this very helpful and informative post. 🤍
Hi Evan,
I'm getting an ESTA post ready. Just got swamped with the growing list of Deportables. soon though. thank you for asking. ac
Don’t come to America until we can be trusted again. Until trumplicans are no longer a factor in government, it’s not safe
Amazing post. Thank you. We are US citizens in Mexico. Most of the focus on social media forums is on getting into Mexico for vacation and residency.
I am sharing this post on several forums as this article reinforces what we have been hearing anecdotally; that reentering the US as US passport holders is becoming an issue.
Yes. Also see the latest Substack… The Deportables
V Sobering
I am in this position too as a US citizen and México resident. This is ominous and concerning.
Besides a burner phone can you pack your real phone in luggage or is that an issue too?
Its illegal to put devices in checked luggage because of the safety risks associated with the batteries
What is your take on the risks for those entering the US through tourist visas (ESTA)?
1938 Germany is here now.
Gestapo and SS SUBSERVIENT TO THE FUHRER TRUMP. No one is safe , not even Americans .
Thank you so much for sharing this. I’m nervous crossing the boarder even as an American citizen.
This is the most comprehensive guides I have seen. Thanks. While most of this is routine info for immigrants, the new details of targeting and tips for current political climate that’s buried in this is extremely useful. Will you keep updating this stack?
Hi Ila,
Yes will keep updating. And add for a few other visa categories.
If you have any specific questions, ask away.
I’m also keeping a list of all recent deportees (growing daily) and will be sharing that next week. Heard from attorneys to people inside ICE detention, confirming what Janice testified.
“They are also looking for possible visa violations: if you are entering on a work visitor’s visa,..”
Didn’t Musk come in on a student visa and work illegally? I’m pretty sure I remember that correctly. So why wasn’t he thrown out for breaking the law?
Thanks for taking all this trouble and producing such a helpful list! I wouldn’t go to the US if you paid me but it will certainly help a lot of people.
Can't imagine how long it took to compile this. A comprehensive checklist for anyone with questions about entering the U.S. regardless of status.
If a US citizen travels internationally and comes back to the US, is their laptop/phone subject to search? If a citizen is found to post messages critical of the administration on social media, or text messages critical of the administration to contacts, is it possible they could be detained, as well?
JJ,
All travelers may be subjected to expedited search, though focus has been US visitors. See our substack on 8-part series for tips to keep your data safer while traveling.
You should assume you may be asked questions at return to US. CBD may ask you to look at anyone’s phone and electronics and social media.You. And you can say no but you may lose your phone if you do. Or get it back in a few weeks
You should make sure you remove any texts, photos or social media contents that could be deemed critical of US policy/admin or else travel w a secondary /burner phone. Lots of tips to secure your data and safer traveling. See our 8-pt seroes on tops tomkeep your data safer while traveling.
We cannot say if any US citizens would/will be detained. We can only encourage people to know
the risks and take steps before travelong to do w more security.
Here’s a WaPo story w tips:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/03/27/cbp-cell-phones-devices-traveling-us/