Over the last few weeks, we’ve covered multiple stories about countries going back and forth trying to understand and react to the new US dispensation’s approach towards immigration and travel. On one hand, several countries for looking for consistency in policy. On the other hand, the administration is moving swiftly to implement measures, often to be met with sharp criticism and pushbacks.
Travel advisories for travel to the US
US citizens are well versed with receiving travel advisories pertaining to travel to other countries. In most cases, these advisories relate to serious crimes like sexual assault, terrorism or kidnapping. However, we’re now seeing multiple countries react to the current US administrations policies by introducing advisories of their own.
As per NPR, Denmark, Finland, Germany and Canada have issued warnings, citing risks of detention by US immigration officials.
Some of the warnings also note that the State Department has also suspended its policy allowing transgender, intersex and nonbinary people to update the sex field on their passports — eliminating the X marker as an option.
The German foreign ministry also updated warnings over the weekend after reports of detentions.
On Friday, Germany’s Foreign Office adjusted its travel advisory after several of its citizens were reportedly arrested and detained by immigration authorities while entering the U.S., according to local media reports. The country is warning citizens that entering the U.S. through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) or a visa does not guarantee the right to enter the country.
Most of the EU warnings stem from risks due to lack of more than two gender options to choose from, given the current administration’s change in policy.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Denmark updated its visa guidelines on Thursday with a similar warning, telling those applying for a visa or ESTA to the U.S. that the country only allows two gender options to choose from. For travelers whose passport has an X marker or one that’s different than their assigned gender at birth, the ministry recommends that they contact the U.S. embassy for further guidance.
Canadian Travel Advisory
As per the newest advisory by the Canadian government, the Canadian government has warned its citizens of possible prosecution if they fail to register. As per the advisory, Canadian citizens must register with US authorities if they intend to stay in the US for more than 30 days.
“Canadians and other foreign nationals visiting the United States for periods longer than 30 days must be registered with the United States government,” the latest travel advisory to the United States said.
The trigger for the latest travel advisory could’ve been the fact that a woman from Vancouver was recently detained by US authorities for a week while trying to enter the US.
Experts have said Canadian travel to the United States could be further stifled after a Vancouver woman was detained earlier this month for more than a week by U.S. authorities after having her work visa application denied while trying to enter at the Mexican border near San Diego.
The Pundit’s Mantra
The current US administration has made it clear that they’re going to be strict with immigration policies. These travel advisories only depict how countries are grappling with the reality and beginning to respond.
Overall, these measures don’t bode well for the travel industry in general. Like any other industry, the travel industry functions smoothly when there’s clarity of policy. Given the ongoing tensions between the US and many countries, the uncertainty will definitely impact the travel industry negatively.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Never miss out on the deals, news and travel industry trends. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram and Twitter to keep getting the latest content!
I am a proud legal immigrant( now a citizen of the greatest country in the world) from Asia a, third world country and I am very happy with US finally enforcing its immigration law like rest of the 195 countries in the world. US has right to screen, detain deport foreigners entering unlawfully, staying past their authorized stay limit and deport all illegal and legal aliens in violation of any rule and laws mentioned in INA and on each immigration forms at uscis.gov. We already have the most comprehensive legal immigration of any nation in the world. The only thing lacking is ENFORCEMENT of those violating our illegal laws.
So, in the interest of childishness, perhaps the US should retaliate by issuing travel warnings against travel to any nation with a left wing government. Frankly, it would not be unjustified as they tend allow lots of criminals to roam free with few consequences.
So less transgender, intersex and nonbinary people visiting the US? Not going to complain about that.
Sour grapes. Even Canada has a requirement for visitors, even some just transiting at airports to get a visa.