As summer approaches, you may be preparing for family visits, vacations, and business trips. But if you’re planning to travel abroad, regardless of your immigration status, it’s worth taking a moment to think about what the travel experience looks like this year.
The Trump administration has expanded immigration enforcement in ways that are affecting more than just immigrants. Some U.S. citizens have found themselves questioned, searched, or even detained, sometimes despite carrying the correct identification. The Administration’s aggressive stance towards immigration has created a climate of suspicion and uncertainty that can impact travelers of all statuses, including naturalized citizens and those born and raised in the United States.
Here’s what you should keep in mind when traveling this summer:
Know Your Rights
U.S. citizens cannot be denied entry into the country, but that hasn’t stopped border officials from pulling them aside for questioning, searching their phones, or holding them for hours. While these practices are framed as routine security measures, in reality, they often reflect profiling and overreach.
If you’re a U.S. citizen, you don’t have to unlock your phone or share your social media accounts, even if officials pressure you. You can be questioned further or detained for refusing, but you still have the right to say no. If you’re unsure about your rights, consider speaking to an immigration attorney before your trip.
One of the more disturbing aspects of the current approach is how easily people who “don’t look American” in the eyes of certain officials can get swept into enforcement actions. Whether it’s due to skin color, accent, or last name, the fact remains: people are being treated differently based on assumptions instead of legal status.
Real ID is No Guarantee
Despite a recent federal push for the REAL ID system, travelers have found that their compliant IDs are sometimes ignored or dismissed. While the law says REAL ID should be sufficient for international travel, reality can be inconsistent, especially under an Administration that has encouraged aggressive enforcement instead of due process.
Bring a backup form of ID if you have one, and consider carrying your passport even for domestic flights, especially if you’re concerned about being profiled or challenged.
Be Prepared
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have broad authority to ask about your travel plans, search your belongings, and inspect your devices. People have been questioned over memes, text messages, and even what they packed in their luggage.
If you’re traveling with family members who are not U.S. citizens, be aware that they could face longer delays or more intrusive questioning. If you’re a citizen, you should still carry proof of citizenship and be prepared to calmly but firmly assert your status if questioned.
Keep in mind: If you’re saying you’re returning from vacation, and they find evidence of work-related materials, that could lead to further questioning. Stay calm and don’t volunteer more information than necessary.
What to Do If You’re Detained
If you’re detained, you have the right to ask if you’re being held, and for how long. You can ask to speak with a lawyer, though CBP is not required to provide you with one at the airport. If the situation escalates, try to remember names, badge numbers, and details, and contact an attorney as soon as you’re released.
Final Thoughts
The Trump administration’s push for mass enforcement and harsh immigration tactics is affecting citizens and non-citizens alike. The government is willing to blur the lines of due process in the name of “security.”
As a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you still have rights. But this summer, don’t assume those rights will be automatically respected. Stay informed, stay calm, and plan ahead, because under this administration, even routine travel may come with complications.
If you have any questions about how immigration policy could affect your travel plans this summer, it might be wise to speak with an experienced immigration attorney.
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