Some countries’ travel advisories to the United States include warnings that even with proper documentation their entry into the U.S. could be rejected.
Multiple nations this week have already updated their advisories to inform travelers abroad that proper visas or entry waivers may not be sufficient.
Why It Matters
Advisories from European and Nordic countries have come in response to recent apprehensions by U.S. authorities, in addition to more stringent U.S. immigration policy being enforced in the first two months of the Donald Trump administration.
Aside from concerns about visas, including H-1Bs, and proper documentation for international students, concerns have extended to the legal viability of green cards following a series of incidents that have been defended by U.S. officials.
Which Countries Have Travel Advisories for the U.S.?
Germany
On March 18, Germany’s Foreign Ministry updated its travel advisory for the U.S. after three Germans were reportedly detained at the border.
Two of the three cases have reportedly been resolved and included German nationals being sent home. A third case was being processed and handled by the consulate general in Boston, Massachusetts.
German officials said that neither approval through the U.S. ESTA system nor a U.S. visa means people will be granted entry every time. The automated U.S. ESTA system determines visitor eligibility when traveling to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), does not guarantee admissibility, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website.
“The final decision on whether a person can enter the U.S. lies with the U.S. border authorities,” a German ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.
The change does not count as a change in official travel warning, they added.
U.K.
The United Kingdom published a similar advisory on March 19 regarding immigration and understanding the laws for U.S. entry.
“You should comply with all entry, visa and other conditions of entry. The authorities in the U.S. set and enforce entry rules strictly. You may be liable to arrest or detention if you break the rules,” the guidance reads.
It’s a deviation from earlier this year. Archived versions of the U.K.’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) website from February briefly reference U.S. entry rules being strictly enforced, at the time providing no explicit warning about potential legal consequences.
Denmark
On March 20, Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs revised its travel guidance and warned domestic travelers going to the U.S. based on the issue of transgender rights.
Trump has signed executive orders regarding transgender rights, including one that only promotes two genders when applying for a visa: male or female.
The new section added under Denmark’s visa rules advises travelers to contact the American embassy before they depart if their passport gender designation is X, or if they have changed their gender.
Finland
A similar warning about applicants’ genders and potentially being denied entry into the U.S. was expressed by the Finland government. While Finnish passports do not include the “X” gender marker, dual citizens who possess passports with an “X” marker are implored to verify entry conditions with U.S. authorities in advance.
Australia
Australia advises its travelers headed to the U.S. to exercise normal safety precautions, as well as to plan ahead if trips are fewer than 90 days and require either ESTA or a visa.
“Entry requirements are strict,” the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade writes on its website. “U.S. authorities have broad powers to decide if you’re eligible to enter and may determine that you are inadmissible for any reason under US law. Check US entry, transit and exit requirements.”
Entry requirements are strict. U.S. authorities have broad powers to decide if you’re eligible to enter and may determine that you are inadmissible for any reason under U.S. law. Check U.S. entry, transit and exit requirements.
Canada
Canada has not issued new advisories. Their government has encouraged its citizens to understand that visitors to the U.S. can typically stay there for 6 months without a visa—and travelers must declare their intended duration of stay upon entry.
“In most circumstances, Canadian citizens don’t require visitor, business, transit or other visas to enter the United States from Canada but there are some exceptions,” the Canadian government says on its website.
However, Canadian permanent residents may need a non-immigrant visa to enter the U.S.
What People Are Saying
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio last week to the press: “This is not about free speech. This is about people that don’t have a right to be in the United States to begin with. No one has a right to a student visa. No one has a right to a green card, by the way. So, when you apply for a student visa or any visa to enter the United States, we have a right to deny you for virtually any reason.”
What Happens Next
There is no timetable for when or if the aforementioned countries’ travel advisories may change.
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