Upon her return from Spring Break in Curaçao, Keylin Rivera faced her worst-case scenario when she arrived back in the U.S.
Rivera, who holds both U.S. and Colombian citizenship, arrived in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Friday as part of a layover en route to Boston. Upon arriving at the Charlotte airport, she proceeded through the border control Global Entry lane. However, when she inserted her passport into the kiosk, it signaled for additional scrutiny from an official. Although this situation had occurred previously, officials typically only briefly reviewed her documents before allowing her entry, which led her not to be overly concerned about it then.
However, this time she was taken to a side room where they interrogated her regarding her travels, and her luggage was inspected—they claimed it was part of a routine check. Rivera requested her passport back and continued her trip homeward, yet the encounter continues to leave her feeling uneasy.
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The level of unpredictability is high, and we can’t anticipate all potential outcomes. I’ve experienced significant anxiety regarding travel in general, particularly concerning being detained, which actually occurred during my travels,” explained the Harvard graduate student and previous appointee in the Biden administration when speaking with USA TODAY. “I had mentally prepared myself for such an eventuality.
Prior to arriving in Charlotte, Rivera “braced herself for the worst” by uninstalling all of her social media applications and disabling Face ID on her device. Upon being flagged, she sent group texts to her friends as a precautionary measure, should anything severe occur.
She asked herself, ‘Why wasn’t anyone else involved? Why did I end up being the sole participant?’
Amid news of detainments,
deportations
and higher
immigration scrutiny
under the
Trump
The administration’s policies have led Americans to experience heightened anxiety regarding border crossings within the U.S. Those who possess legitimate visas for lawful activities such as studying, working, and residing in the country also sense this tension. This unease affects travelers broadly.
r
Reconsidering future international trips due to concerns about potential stops – or something more serious.
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“Under this administration, officers are urged to thoroughly investigate every matter without overlooking anything. They’re prompted to ask numerous questions and collect as much data as possible,” stated Glenn Schieck, an immigration attorney from Harter Secrest & Emery LLP who frequently assists individuals with permanent residency status or visa holders. “As a result, those who may have faced no prior problems could experience some shifts. Generally speaking, we can anticipate increased activity along the borders.”
‘An emphasis on improved screening’
Lately, lawful inhabitants have encountered detainment or expulsion. The Trump administration is making good on its pledge to boost national security and tackle issues deemed as public safety risks, as mentioned in an official statement.
executive order
Jan. 20, featuring an extensive evaluation of visa issuance processes and probable
travel ban
in over 40 nations.
According to the directive, “The United States needs to guarantee that incoming foreigners and those who are already within the country’s borders do not harbor antagonistic views towards its people, way of life, governmental systems, established bodies, or core values. Additionally, these individuals should neither endorse nor assist recognized foreign militants and other dangers to America’s safety.”
We understand that during this administration, there’s an emphasis on something known as enhanced vetting. This essentially instructs immigration officials to scrutinize individuals entering the U.S. more closely,” explained Schieck. “Therefore, I believe officers may be posing questions regarding aspects that were previously overlooked.
Earlier this month, Dr. Rasha Alawieh, who works as a physician in Lebanon and teaches at Brown University, was traveling back after visiting her homeland when
she was detained
At Boston Logan International Airport, U.S. Customs and Border Protection detained her due to Hezbollah-linked content found on her mobile device. Consequently, her visa was revoked, and she has been sent back to her home country.
Colleges throughout the nation have
warned international students
To reconsider international trips following reports of individuals critical of political conflicts, notably the Israel-Hamas conflict, being targeted by ICE.
A 21-year-old student from South Korea currently studying at Columbia University
Yunseo Chung, who has resided in the U.S. since her childhood, is now confronting the threat of deportation, and
A PhD student from India recently chose to move to Canada.
.
These high-profile cases contribute to the fear and uncertainty many Americans are feeling around what could happen if they try to leave or return to the U.S., especially with reports of border control officers
increasingly searching travelers’ devices
.
Schieck mentioned, ‘It’s simply because everything is evolving rapidly; numerous reports are circulating.’ He added, ‘People remain uncertain about potential issues they might face at the border.’
Despite being lawfully allowed in the U.S., these high-profile cases showcase bolstered vetting against legal residents and non-residents, specifically those on H1B (work) visas, student visas or green cards, according to Lynn Damiano Pearson, senior staff attorney at the National Immigration Law Center. “There’s certainly been examples of extreme escalation of increased scrutiny and tougher actions being against people who have some valid form of immigration.”
If the suggested travel restriction ends up being implemented
implemented
, potentially as early as Friday, there might be internal enforcement actions or cancellations of visas for legal immigrants from the specified countries due to the wording in the executive order. However, it’s still too early to determine the specifics.
People residing in U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico or Guam should not face difficulties moving between borders since they hold American citizenship, according to Pearson. Nevertheless, heightened scrutiny often leads to instances of racial profiling.
“The mere reality that we’re discussing this issue concerning citizens underscores not only the escalation but also highlights how closely linked U.S. citizen rights are with those of immigrants. It’s evident that all our rights are interconnected and impact each one of us,” Pearson stated.
‘Really concerned’
Ginny Williams, an American independent journalist holding citizenship in both the United States and the UK, has resided in Kent for more than ten years. However, she plans to head back to the US in half a year to see her mom and dad. Ginny and her spouse, who was born in the UK, encountered difficulties previously when attempting to secure him permanent resident status. Now, recent changes in policy have heightened her concerns regarding her impending return to America.
“These historical aspects often make me uneasy about revisiting them, and now, given all that’s happening, I’m genuinely worried about returning,” she stated. Adding that it reminds her of the pandemic period when she felt trapped and couldn’t travel, except this time, the place is her homeland and the worry stems from political issues.
Her comeback seems essential due to her father’s worsening condition. She stated, “No matter how reluctant I am to admit it, were it not for their advanced age of my parents, I would not be making this journey.” She added, “In half a year, everything could look different.”
As the trip draws near, Williams is thinking about removing her social media accounts to avoid any potential issues.
Not much is certain for now as circumstances evolve. “What is clear is the officers at the border have broad discretion to investigate, to ask questions to make sure they understand the purpose of someone’s trip to the U.S.,” Schieck said. “And it’s a very broad level of discretion, whether you’re a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident.”
He recommends people be as honest and prepared as possible when arriving at the border to articulate the reason they’re entering the U.S. and carry all the documents to support their claims. “If someone is found to make a misrepresentation, that can cause very, very serious immigration consequences,” he said.
A British traveler who assisted with housework for local households during their backpacking journey was held in Washington for several weeks after being refused admission to Canada due to an “incorrect visa.”
Pearson states that even though green card holders have not faced issues when crossing borders before, they ought to maintain smooth travels provided that their documentation is accurate and current.
know their rights
At the boundary (such as the right to ask for an attorney), and seek advice from an immigration lawyer.
Rivera feels disheartened and drained due to both the increased pressure from administrative oversight and the growing political divide. She expressed her sentiments stating, “It would be great if (the administration) didn’t view those who disagree with them as enemies since I am not your adversary. My genuine hope is for your success—I truly desire you to thrive,” she stated.
This week, she’s departing the nation once more for a journey with a pal, yet she feels even more anxious following what happened last weekend. “Traveling now fills me with greater worry. I understand I’m not committing any offenses; I’m abiding by all rules. As an American citizen, it frustrates me that the pleasure I used to find in travel seems to be slipping away.”
The article initially appeared on USA TODAY:
U.S. citizens being stopped: Travelers worry that examination at the borders is becoming more intense.
