Recent policies are causing jitters.
The White House has been bustling with activity since President Donald Trump began his second term on January 25, 2025. The impact of his executive orders and policy changes has been felt worldwide. While it’s common for the U.S. State Department to issue updates on the safety of other nations, a notable shift has occurred: other countries are now advising their citizens about traveling to the U.S., citing strict border and immigration policies following multiple detentions and expulsions of foreign nationals.
Several countries, including Canada, Germany, Denmark, and the U.K., have updated their travel advisories for the U.S. This follows incidents where foreign nationals were detained or expelled while attempting to enter the country. While the U.S. remains a generally safe destination, recent policies may negatively affect some travelers, particularly those in the LGBTQ+ community.
Canada
Recently, a Canadian citizen was detained by U.S. immigration for nearly two weeks. She recounted her harrowing experience in an editorial for The Guardian. In response, Canadian immigration lawyers and travel agents are advising travelers to exercise caution when entering the U.S. They warn that border officials may ask more questions and request additional documentation. Toronto-based immigration lawyer Heather Segal has even suggested carrying a burner phone, as immigration officers can inspect phones and laptops and download data. A French scientist was also recently denied entry due to his criticism of President Trump’s policies.
Continue Reading Article After Our Video
Recommended Fodor’s Video
On March 21, Canada’s federal department updated its travel advisory to inform citizens that the U.S. now requires them to register their stay if it exceeds 30 days. “Failure to comply with the registration requirement could result in penalties, fines, and misdemeanor prosecution,” the advisory states.
Related: These U.S. States Could Be Hardest Hit by Canada’s Travel Boycott
The United Kingdom
A Welsh tourist was detained in the U.S. for 19 days and, according to her parents, was chained like Hannibal Lecter. Following this incident, the U.K. revised its travel advisory, warning citizens that they could face arrest or detention if they violate entry rules. “You should comply with all entry, visa, and other conditions of entry. The authorities in the U.S. set and enforce entry rules strictly,” the advisory notes.
Germany
After two German citizens, including a green card holder, were detained and denied entry to the U.S., a government spokesperson reminded travelers that an ESTA or visa does not guarantee entry. “The final decision on whether a person can enter the U.S. lies with the U.S. border authorities,” the spokesperson said. This reminder is also included in Germany’s updated travel advisory.
Germany’s advisory now reflects the U.S.’s new two-gender policy, which requires travelers to declare their gender as assigned at birth. The advisory recommends that individuals with an “X” passport or a gender entry different from their birth gender contact the U.S. diplomatic mission in Germany before traveling.
Related: Germany and Britain Issue U.S. Travel Advisories
Ireland
Ireland has also updated its travel advisory to address the two-gender policy. It states that the U.S. requires travelers to declare their biological sex at birth. “Travelers whose sex on their passport differs from the sex assigned at birth should contact the Embassy of the United States of America in Dublin for further details on specific entry requirements,” the advisory says.
The Irish government also advises travelers to carry immigration documents, such as passports, at all times. “Some states (Arizona, Utah, Indiana, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama) introduced legislation designed to identify and reduce the number of illegal immigrants in their states,” the advisory notes.
France
On March 24, France revised its travel advisory to include information about the U.S.’s gender policy change. It states that the U.S. requires travelers to declare their gender assigned at birth in ESTA applications and urges potential visitors to check the U.S. Embassy in Paris website for updates.
Denmark
Denmark allows its citizens to identify themselves with an “X” on their passports, which contrasts with the U.S.’s two-gender policy. The Danish government advises its citizens to contact the U.S. embassy in Denmark before traveling. While no Danish citizens have been detained under the policy, the activist group LGBTQ+ Denmark has raised concerns. Susanne Branner Jespersen from LGBT+ Denmark told Radio III, “We are worried that people could be stopped at the airport and refused entry, or that something inappropriate and uncomfortable could happen at the airport.”
Related: Transgender Traveler Who Was Misgendered on Her Passport Plans to Sue the United States
Finland
In mid-March, Finland emphasized the U.S.’s policy change, stating, “If the applicant’s current sex on their passport is different from their sex confirmed at birth, the U.S. authorities may refuse entry.”
The Netherlands
The Dutch government has also reiterated that the U.S. requires travelers to declare their biological sex at birth. The Netherlands has tightened controls for foreign nationals, and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has warned its citizens, “Please note that laws and customs in the U.S. towards LGBTIQ+ people may differ from those in the Netherlands.” An earlier advisory noted that local laws in the U.S. could negatively affect the LGBTQ+ community, including access to healthcare.
These nations, long-term allies of the U.S., are now issuing warnings due to policy changes and other factors, such as comments about the annexation of Canada and Greenland and global trade disputes. Canadians, feeling spurned by their neighbor, have been canceling trips to the U.S. amid an escalating tariff war. Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has urged Canadians to choose local destinations this summer, and the country has seen a recent boycott of American goods.
With more countries updating their advisories, negative sentiment toward traveling to the U.S. is growing. Oscar Vorobjovas-Pinta from the University of Tasmania told The Washington Post that inbound travel could decline by as much as 12% compared to baseline projections if the trade war and tariffs proceed as threatened, according to tourism research firm Tourism Economics.
Related: If International Tourists Avoid the U.S. This Summer, It Could Impact Americans Traveling Abroad
