Is anyone worried?

[Douglas Dubh]

I don’t really care has literally nothing to do with what I’m saying. I’m personally not getting an abortion I’m going to holiday to Disney world. I’m not really sure what your point has to do with that? It’s very very weird you even brought it up……

It’s not that hard to understand - you’re more likely to be arrested for free speech in the U.K. than in the U.S.A.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Things are getting a bit silly on this thread, so I decided to have a check on the Irish Governments travel advice page for USA.

This is the URL https://www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/overseas-travel/advice/united-states-of-america/

The website states the last update is 18 April 2025

These are new information for 2025
Transgender Irish citizens
ESTA and visa application forms to the US require travellers to declare their sex. The US authorities have indicated that this should reflect, what they term, the traveller’s biological sex at birth. Travellers whose sex on their passport differs from sex assigned at birth should contact the Embassy of the United States of America in Dublin for further details on specific entry requirements.

US entry and immigration laws
Irish citizens intending to travel to the United States should ensure that they familiarise themselves with US entry requirements, which are detailed on the CBP website. Previous convictions in the United States, misleading information about the purpose of your stay, entry without inspection, or even a slight overstay during travel can have serious consequences. Failure to adhere to US immigration law can lead to refusal of entry at the border, detention, and/or removal from the US.The US authorities may search your electronic devices, such as your phones, computers or tablets, when you are entering the United States. They may request your passwords and they are not required to provide a reason for doing so. If you refuse, they may deny you entry to the United States.

Furthermore, the US authorities have indicated that they may consider activity on social media when making decisions about your immigration status. The US authorities have indicated that this includes applicants for lawful permanent residence status and student visa holders. More information is available here.

As an Irish citizen, if you are detained, you have the right to contact the Embassy of Ireland or the nearest Consulate General of Ireland. To do so, you must request that the Embassy of Ireland or the nearest Consulate General of Ireland be informed of your detention.

A previous version of this URL can be found on Wayback Machine Internet Archive
Still current at: 22 February 2024
Updated on: 14 December 2023
https://web.archive.org/web/2024022...rseas-travel/advice/united-states-of-america/

You can check and compare for yourself, how the Irish Government have change the travel advice for Irish citizens travelling to USA from February 2024 to April 2025.

 

[DanM3]

You don’t have to be careful about saying anything truthful about America. But when Americans note the attacks on free speech in the U.K. and you call them rubbish, expect to be corrected.

Ok, fact America is checking people’s phones and questioning people who are an anti Trump. Fact that this is against free speech. Fact this has never happened at the UK boarder. But for some reason an argument against what I have said is to bring up an abortion clinic. I’m going to Disney world, not getting an abortion and I’m a man.

 

[DanM3]

Things are getting a bit silly on this thread, so I decided to have a check on the Irish Governments travel advice page for USA.

This is the URL https://www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/overseas-travel/advice/united-states-of-america/

The website states the last update is 18 April 2025

These are new information for 2025
Transgender Irish citizens
ESTA and visa application forms to the US require travellers to declare their sex. The US authorities have indicated that this should reflect, what they term, the traveller’s biological sex at birth. Travellers whose sex on their passport differs from sex assigned at birth should contact the Embassy of the United States of America in Dublin for further details on specific entry requirements.

US entry and immigration laws
Irish citizens intending to travel to the United States should ensure that they familiarise themselves with US entry requirements, which are detailed on the CBP website. Previous convictions in the United States, misleading information about the purpose of your stay, entry without inspection, or even a slight overstay during travel can have serious consequences. Failure to adhere to US immigration law can lead to refusal of entry at the border, detention, and/or removal from the US.The US authorities may search your electronic devices, such as your phones, computers or tablets, when you are entering the United States. They may request your passwords and they are not required to provide a reason for doing so. If you refuse, they may deny you entry to the United States.

Furthermore, the US authorities have indicated that they may consider activity on social media when making decisions about your immigration status. The US authorities have indicated that this includes applicants for lawful permanent residence status and student visa holders. More information is available here.

As an Irish citizen, if you are detained, you have the right to contact the Embassy of Ireland or the nearest Consulate General of Ireland. To do so, you must request that the Embassy of Ireland or the nearest Consulate General of Ireland be informed of your detention.

A previous version of this URL can be found on Wayback Machine Internet Archive
Still current at: 22 February 2024
Updated on: 14 December 2023
https://web.archive.org/web/2024022...rseas-travel/advice/united-states-of-america/

You can check and compare for yourself, how the Irish Government have change the travel advice for Irish citizens travelling to USA from February 2024 to April 2025.

Thanks yes it completely out of hand. America is clearly having some sort of crisis lol. Thankfully I’m sure this thread is not representative of what America is really like.

 

[mistysue]

I was asking about people’s real experiences with immigration and for some reason you feel the need to post about a British women who is anti abortion. I’m really bot trying to offended you, but that’s incredibly weird. Why did you do that on a Disney forum?

I feel like I have had my question answered very well: yes you have to be careful of immigration but you have to be even more careful about saying anything remotely bad to truthful about America. If for example you say ‘immigration is unnecessarily though’ you may get an unrelated random response about abortion. Very weird lol

I believe your assessment is spot on - the catch is that the US is pretty split down the middle right now. If you are critical, half of us will be like "yup" while hanging our heads, and half of us will come out arms swinging spouting the weirdest disinfo you could imagine.

For a better "testing the waters" check - check out the controversial topics board in the community boards. It won't take long to see what's happening. Yes, the people who drank the kool-aid REALLY fell hard.

 

[DanM3]

It’s not that hard to understand - you’re more likely to be arrested for free speech in the U.K. than in the U.S.A.

Im sorry it’s simply not true. Women don’t even have a choice of what to do with their own bodies. Trumps constantly trying to silence the media.

 

[DanM3]

I believe your assessment is spot on - the catch is that the US is pretty split down the middle right now. If you are critical, half of us will be like "yup" while hanging our heads, and half of us will come out arms swinging spouting the weirdest disinfo you could imagine.

For a better "testing the waters" check - check out the controversial topics board in the community boards. It won't take long to see what's happening. Yes, the people who drank the kool-aid REALLY fell hard.

Thanks, I think I wrongfully assumed people would be normal on here!

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

They literally reworded the travel advice on the website.

Yes but my point is that they updated it about detention which is new

Can you link that?

We're going to be traveling to the UK in September and I normally look at other countries government pages to get an idea in addition to looking at what the U.S. travel advisories are for those countries we'll be visiting.

I admit it's a tad confusing for the UK's site. Could you link what you're talking about regarding travel advisories in regards to detention and what other warnings against the U.S. that are new that you're speaking about?

So far the only thing I've read is from a USA today article from a month ago is about saying that having a valid visa or ESTA authorization does not guarantee entry into the U.S. but call me naïve I feel like that's the case for every country not a U.S. thing at all. I mean the rest of what I've read says "The final decision on whether a person can enter the U.S. lies with the U.S. border authorities,” a spokesperson for Germany’s Foreign Office said. The advisory stressed that false information, past criminal records, or even minor overstays on previous trips could lead to arrest, deportation, or detention – with no legal recourse." Which again call me naïve but that seems like it would be the case for any country. I mean the whole EU is prepping for an entire overall on their entry/exit system for the main purpose of tracking people's movements and to ensure overstays are less likely to occur. Whenever they get that up and running your fingerprints and facial recognition is to be taken and recorded.

I'm not trying to equate the exact same thing going on especially because there are topics that can and cannot be discussed here on the DIS but I am myself trying to seek clarity into what you're saying from a governmental stand point.

Also FWIW I had some high angst in going to Japan not because of political things but because there are a slew of things considered perfectly fine here but highly illegal in Japan and the travel advisory information that the U.S. has is very vague. They tell you they just don't have much information they can provide you but that if you oops and make a mistake you could be jailed in Japan. A thing for example I had to look up was medication as there's a lot that is illegal in Japan. Another big no no was having more than 2 months supply of contact lens on me. Again not to a T what you're talking about but just to say when you're traveling abroad there are things you want to do to lessen your risk overall. And one would think providing false information for example is pretty standard. FWIW on the past criminal records that super super standard and isn't to do with the U.S. Canada for example if you have a DUI you are considered inadmissible.

 

[mistysue]

Thanks, I think I wrongfully assumed people would be normal on here!

Well... this is sort of our normal at the moment. You just can't bring it up. I stupidly made a comment the other day that hinted I disapproved of something and had some lady at a neighboring table in a diner shout at me. We're regulars so the servers just sort of made eye contact with me and we both clearly had no idea what to do besides change the subject and pretend we learned our lesson.
On the plus side, people in Orlando are more likely to be distracted by their surroundings and the general theme park environment.

 

[JackosinDIS]

Can you link that?

We're going to be traveling to the UK in September and I normally look at other countries government pages to get an idea in addition to looking at what the U.S. travel advisories are for those countries we'll be visiting.

I admit it's a tad confusing for the UK's site. Could you link what you're talking about regarding travel advisories in regards to detention and what other warnings against the U.S. that are new that you're speaking about?

So far the only thing I've read is from a USA today article from a month ago is about saying that having a valid visa or ESTA authorization does not guarantee entry into the U.S. but call me naïve I feel like that's the case for every country not a U.S. thing at all. I mean the rest of what I've read says "The final decision on whether a person can enter the U.S. lies with the U.S. border authorities,” a spokesperson for Germany’s Foreign Office said. The advisory stressed that false information, past criminal records, or even minor overstays on previous trips could lead to arrest, deportation, or detention – with no legal recourse." Which again call me naïve but that seems like it would be the case for any country. I mean the whole EU is prepping for an entire overall on their entry/exit system for the main purpose of tracking people's movements and to ensure overstays are less likely to occur. Whenever they get that up and running your fingerprints and facial recognition is to be taken and recorded.

I'm not trying to equate the exact same thing going on especially because there are topics that can and cannot be discussed here on the DIS but I am myself trying to seek clarity into what you're saying from a governmental stand point.

Also FWIW I had some high angst in going to Japan not because of political things but because there are a slew of things considered perfectly fine here but highly illegal in Japan and the travel advisory information that the U.S. has is very vague. They tell you they just don't have much information they can provide you but that if you oops and make a mistake you could be jailed in Japan. A thing for example I had to look up was medication as there's a lot that is illegal in Japan. Another big no no was having more than 2 months supply of contact lens on me. Again not to a T what you're talking about but just to say when you're traveling abroad there are things you want to do to lessen your risk overall. And one would think providing false information for example is pretty standard. FWIW on the past criminal records that super super standard and isn't to do with the U.S. Canada for example if you have a DUI you are considered inadmissible.

Here is the link:

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa/entry-requirements

The updates included the addition of the wording regarding arrest or detention. As you say, probably always been the case that this could happen, but the UK gov felt the need to update the travel advice to specifically include this wording, and stress that the immigration rules are enforced “strictly”.

There are no ‘warnings’ against travel per se, but I think the updated wording has spooked some people.

 

[DanM3]

Can you link that?

We're going to be traveling to the UK in September and I normally look at other countries government pages to get an idea in addition to looking at what the U.S. travel advisories are for those countries we'll be visiting.

I admit it's a tad confusing for the UK's site. Could you link what you're talking about regarding travel advisories in regards to detention and what other warnings against the U.S. that are new that you're speaking about?

So far the only thing I've read is from a USA today article from a month ago is about saying that having a valid visa or ESTA authorization does not guarantee entry into the U.S. but call me naïve I feel like that's the case for every country not a U.S. thing at all. I mean the rest of what I've read says "The final decision on whether a person can enter the U.S. lies with the U.S. border authorities,” a spokesperson for Germany’s Foreign Office said. The advisory stressed that false information, past criminal records, or even minor overstays on previous trips could lead to arrest, deportation, or detention – with no legal recourse." Which again call me naïve but that seems like it would be the case for any country. I mean the whole EU is prepping for an entire overall on their entry/exit system for the main purpose of tracking people's movements and to ensure overstays are less likely to occur. Whenever they get that up and running your fingerprints and facial recognition is to be taken and recorded.

I'm not trying to equate the exact same thing going on especially because there are topics that can and cannot be discussed here on the DIS but I am myself trying to seek clarity into what you're saying from a governmental stand point.

Also FWIW I had some high angst in going to Japan not because of political things but because there are a slew of things considered perfectly fine here but highly illegal in Japan and the travel advisory information that the U.S. has is very vague. They tell you they just don't have much information they can provide you but that if you oops and make a mistake you could be jailed in Japan. A thing for example I had to look up was medication as there's a lot that is illegal in Japan. Another big no no was having more than 2 months supply of contact lens on me. Again not to a T what you're talking about but just to say when you're traveling abroad there are things you want to do to lessen your risk overall. And one would think providing false information for example is pretty standard. FWIW on the past criminal records that super super standard and isn't to do with the U.S. Canada for example if you have a DUI you are considered inadmissible.

Hi this article outlines some of the changes: https://www.independent.co.uk/trave...-office-travel-warnings-america-b2720381.html someone also kindly posted what the website says earlier in the thread.

Also thank you for your reassurance. To me, looking from another country, America seems like it’s changed a lot in the past 12 months and I was just asking a question. I have spent thousands on this holiday so I obviously want to go. Yes I am critical of Trump and his supporters but I’m allowed to be. And I’m critical of my own government too. I love America all my best holidays have been in America, it’s just a shame it’s come to this.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Here is the link:

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa/entry-requirements

The updates included the addition of the wording regarding arrest or detention. As you say, probably always been the case that this could happen, but the UK gov felt the need to update the travel advice to specifically include this wording, and stress that the immigration rules are enforced “strictly”.

There are no ‘warnings’ against travel per se, but I think the updated wording has spooked some people.

Yeah that's where I went to but the layout was more confusing than I'm used to lol

 

[Douglas Dubh]

Things are getting a bit silly on this thread

It started with silly.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

This is the URL for The UK Government travel advice for UK citizens travelling to USA.
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/usa/entry-requirements

This is the current advice which has been updated for 2025
Entry requirements
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel.

You should comply with all entry, visa and other conditions of entry. The authorities in the US set and enforce entry rules strictly. You may be liable to arrest or detention if you break the rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the US Embassy or a consulate in the UK.

A previous version of this URL can be found on Wayback Machine Internet Archive
https://web.archive.org/web/2024032.../foreign-travel-advice/usa/entry-requirements
March 20 2024
Entry requirements
This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in the USA set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the US embassy or consulate in the UK.

 

[Douglas Dubh]

Ok, fact America is checking people’s phones and questioning people who are an anti Trump.

You made fun of my source but present nothing to back up your assertions.

 

[Douglas Dubh]

But for some reason an argument against what I have said is to bring up an abortion clinic.

I posted three reports of people having their free speech curtailed in the UK, only one of which dealt with abortion. You’ve countered with nothing.

 

[Douglas Dubh]

Women don’t even have a choice of what to do with their own bodies.

Some girls in Rotherham didn’t as well.

 

[DanM3]

Some girls in Rotherham didn’t as well.

Why are you being all weird? I was asking about immigration. The free speech comment was to do with the fact they are checking peoples social media for anti Trump posts. What on earth has that got to do with abortion and the Rotherham sexual assaults? I mean all I have to say as a comeback is that your president is a convicted rapist and the fact he is telling women what they can and cannot do with their bodies is scary. If you can support that, then it’s sad and strange.

You could go in forever posting unrelated news stories, I’ll help: what about the post office scandal? The big brother nasty nick scandal from the early 2000s? The MP expenses scandal? That time someone cut an old tree down and we were sad about it? When jedward were robbed of their rightful X factor victory? These are all great news stories, they just have absolutely nothing to do with Orlando’s immigration and my Disney holiday!

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Hi this article outlines some of the changes: https://www.independent.co.uk/trave...-office-travel-warnings-america-b2720381.html someone also kindly posted what the website says earlier in the thread.

Also thank you for your reassurance. To me, looking from another country, America seems like it’s changed a lot in the past 12 months and I was just asking a question. I have spent thousands on this holiday so I obviously want to go. Yes I am critical of Trump and his supporters but I’m allowed to be. And I’m critical of my own government too. I love America all my best holidays have been in America, it’s just a shame it’s come to this.

Sorry for the long response I just wanted to give my viewpoint along with recent travel experience overseas (even though I am an American).

I think the PP's point about getting spooked is more on the dot. I've watched a lot of Border shows from various countries (Sweden I'm presently watching) and there's a lot that people don't realize are things that have been the case for a long time (looking at phones for example is not new nor something only the U.S. does; mostly related to are you attempting to do work in X country without the proper work visa). Sweden allows this practice of going through cell phones and e-mails with immigration as well but would you think about that and Sweden in the same sentence? Probably not. Same with New Zealand, looking at your cell phone at the border is permittable but would you think about that and New Zealand in the same sentence? Probably not but it's been allowable there since 1996 (though of course back then that would have been computers more or less).

I'm not attempting to say you don't have a cause for concern but I would want to try and say a lot of this is being amplified (not without understanding why just being more practical about that).

Now I will preface this by saying we've not traveled to a country yet that we ourselves were required to get a visa so I cannot speak to that in personal experience. The closest we'll have is the UK trip with the pre-authorization (and subsequently next year with Switzerland the EES system and ETIAS maybe depending on when that starts).

However in 2023 we traveled to Mexico. That same year a cruise where we traveled through France (via Paris and yes we exited and re-entered through customs as we went out into Paris itself), Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, and Greece then flew back through Heathrow in London.

In 2024 via train travel went to Heathrow in London (and toured London), France (though it was to get to the rest of Europe but through French customs), Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Denmark and Sweden flying back from Denmark via Iceland (went through customs there) and back into the U.S. We actually momentarily forgot we had been through French customs and was thrown for a loop when in Iceland their customs asked "did you go to France on X date?" and we had to quickly remember oh yeah we did that. Then went to Japan in 2024 as well.

This year we just completed a week ago a cruise flying through Madrid, Spain to get to Lisbon, Portugal, Spain, France and Italy. Flying from France, through Madrid back into the U.S.

In all of that very recent travel I can tell you the place I felt the most at risk was Cancun, Mexico especially as there has been back and forth about how many electronic devices you are allowed without paying a fine as such people have been charged. However, in terms of my day to day safety I worried about terrorist attacks more while in Europe especially as we went through Brussels to get to Ghent weeks after that terrorist attack.

That said we have plenty of overseas travel we'll be doing and just make sure we keep ourselves as up to date as we can. As I said Japan was the place that gave me the most angst in terms of customs not because the process would be hard but because there was such little information as to what was legal and wasn't legal (like I wanted to make sure my allergy medication was okay). I didn't have to worry about how many contact lenses I could take to Europe for example but didn't want to run afoul in Japan and I wouldn't have even thought that could be an issue.

As an aside advising to take a burner phone is one of the worst advices I think has been put forth. If the Customs (in the remote chance they ask for your electronic devices to look through) asks for your electronic devices lying about having an additional one would be then giving false information not to mention would raise more eyebrows; i.e. it's a heck of a lot worse IMO to even think to do that but I digress. FWIW I jus traveled with 2 cell phones for our cruise because my phone is so old it can't support the cruise line's app which is used for the included wifi onboard. The additional cell phone will only work with wifi as it's not connected to a cellular company. If asked there is no way I would deny having that phone certainly isn't worth any risk on my part.

I hear your concern though

As a quickie here's the link about New Zealand https://www.customs.govt.nz/personal/travel-to-and-from-nz/electronic-device-examinations/

 

[Douglas Dubh]

Why are you being all weird?

Why are you being so obtuse?

The free speech comment was to do with the fact they are checking peoples social media for anti Trump posts.

Again, that’s not a fact. It’s an assertion you haven’t supported.