Is anyone worried?

[Douglas Dubh]

your president is a convicted rapist and the fact he is telling women what they can and cannot do with their bodies is scary.

He’s not and he’s not. You need to stop regarding hysterical accusations as facts.

 

[DanM3]

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/

Thank you, that’s helpful and reassuring. From what helpful people have said it doesn’t seem I need to be concerned. I will keep and eye on the situation, but hopefully our holiday will be as amazing as our other USA trips.

 

[DanM3]

He’s not and he’s not. You need to stop regarding hysterical accusations as facts.

Not being funny but it is a little weird. It’s not really hysterical if it’s happening all the time. But I’m of the opinion it’s rather weird to respond to a question about social media and immigration with examples of abortion and sexual assault news stories from a different country. Especially when the American president is a convicted rapist himself (pot, kettle, black comes to mind).

Anyway I recommend you and the other MAGA crazies look here, it could help https://www.peopleleavecults.com/

(That’s a joke, in the words of Elon ‘let’s legalise comedy’)

 

[McCrae]

Yes but my point is that they updated it about detention which is new! I wish I’d never asked now! Jesus didn’t realise it would trigger people. I’m just taking my daughters to Disney, which I also enjoy. It’s just unfortunate trumps ruining America.

You are being alarmist without and

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.

There is no basis to any of the claims that individual is making. You will be made to feel very welcome in the U.K.

 

[Douglas Dubh]

I’m of the opinion it’s rather weird to respond to a question about social media and immigration with examples of abortion and sexual assault news stories from a different country.

I didn't respond to a question about social media. I responded to your questions about what is going on in the U.K. Here's your quote - "There’s nothing happening in the UK? Not sure what you are talking about?????"

So I pointed out a few things going on in the U.K. that are worse than what is alleged to be happening here.

 

[DanM3]

I didn't respond to a question about social media. I responded to your questions about what is going on in the U.K. Here's your quote - "There’s nothing happening in the UK? Not sure what you are talking about?????"

So I pointed out a few things going on in the U.K. that are worse than what is alleged to be happening here.

And I pointed out trumps a rapist but you don’t seem to be able to accept that. I also posted a number of hilarious jokes you seem to have missed.

In reality nothing is going on in the UK, but I could post a huge long list of things just in the past 4 weeks that Trump has done (crashing the stock market, taking away women’s right to choose even though he’s a rapist himself , hilariously lying about his height and weight, saying he will invade Greenland, opening a concentration camp in El Salvador, I could go on and on and on).

Maybe I was over reacting but trumps chaos has no place in my life. I just wanted to have a nice holiday.

But thanks I have learnt a lot about how weird some trump supporters are.

 

[Douglas Dubh]

I pointed out trumps a rapist but you don’t seem to be able to accept that.

It's not true, which is why you can't post to a credible link stating it. Maybe you should worry more about your government, which hasn't done a stellar job of late.

 

[DanM3]

It's not true, which is why you can't post to a credible link stating it. Maybe you should worry more about your government, which hasn't done a stellar job of late.

your right, he’s not a convicted rapist, the jury only found him guilty of sexual assault. We all know he is a rapist though.

Honestly this is so weird. If I’m bored lining up for rise of the resistance I might shout out something anti Trump for some in line entertainment.

why are you on this forum? do you even like Disney? Aren’t they considered woke by the MAGA crazies?

 

[Douglas Dubh]

We all know he is a rapist though.

No, we don't.

why are you on this forum? do you even like Disney?

My signature block and number of messages show why I am on this board. You apparently are here to insult Americans who object to your wild accusations.

 

[mistysue]

your right, he’s not a convicted rapist, the jury only found him guilty of sexual assault. We all know he is a rapist though.

Honestly this is so weird. If I’m bored lining up for rise of the resistance I might shout out something anti Trump for some in line entertainment.

why are you on this forum? do you even like Disney? Aren’t they considered woke by the MAGA crazies?

This is sort of what I was talking about with how we're very split over here.
These little details, like technically he's not convicted of rape. He was found liable of a type of sexual assault that even the judge stated is what most people think of as rape... It's all word play.
Before you even get thrown through this loophole, also didn't technically open the concentration camp. He's just seamlessly shipping innocent people there and paying them to retain them and refuse to send them back... And the center doesn't call itself a concentration camp. It says it's a prison.

 

[DanM3]

No, we don't.

My signature block and number of messages show why I am on this board. You apparently are here to insult Americans who object to your wild accusations.

This is pointless, I have the answer to my question.

I am not insulting Americans. I may be assaulting Trump supports, as who in their right mind would support a felon who has committed sexual assault?

I will never change my mind on Trump, so give up. I’m ending this now and ignoring you as it’s been the weirdest exchange ever. Just a tip for the future, maybe leave your abortion and sexual assault news stories away from Disney world message boards as it has nothing to do with Disney and makes you sound weird.

I genuinely hope you’re ok and get the help you need. I think you should look at this https://www.peopleleavecults.com/

 

[DanM3]

This is sort of what I was talking about with how we're very split over here.
These little details, like technically he's not convicted of rape. He was found liable of a type of sexual assault that even the judge stated is what most people think of as rape... It's all word play.
Before you even get thrown through this loophole, also didn't technically open the concentration camp. He's just seamlessly shipping innocent people there and paying them to retain them and refuse to send them back... And the center doesn't call itself a concentration camp. It says it's a prison.

Sorry I did say that just to wind people up (British humour)

 

[Douglas Dubh]

This is pointless,

Yes, as long as you continue to ask stupid questions and make wild accusations. Maybe you should look inward rather than attacking others.

 

[Alicatt]

It's not true, which is why you can't post to a credible link stating it. Maybe you should worry more about your government, which hasn't done a stellar job of late.

If you are insulted by facts; then that's on you. There is nothing wild about these concerns. There have been a number of people not only turned away but detained in deplorable conditions. There is a reason people are worried.If you don't like the Times; I can site these instances from a dozen sources.Every news source has been reporting on it except Fox.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/18/us/mooney-canadian-american-pie-actress-ice.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/13/world/europe/german-tourists-detained-deported.html

oh also American ccitizens
https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladi...ocked-immigration-law-and-put-under-ice-hold/
People have a reason to be scared. There's plenty on formation out there. I try to read from a few sources; including international. If it's a similar story in so many places; I'm inclined to believe it; even if I don't want to.

 

[Douglas Dubh]

If you are insulted by facts; then that's on you.

I’m not. I’m insulted by people that accuse me of things I’m not doing.

People have a reason to be scared.

The vast majority of international travelers have no reason to be scared. The ones that have run into trouble are almost entirely those that don’t follow the terms of their visas.

 

[mistysue]

I’m not. I’m insulted by people that accuse me of things I’m not doing.

The vast majority of international travelers have no reason to be scared. The ones that have run into trouble are almost entirely those that don’t follow the terms of their visas.

Emphasis mine, but that is exactly why there is reason to be concerned. Almost entirely is not the same as "exclusively" or even "all except in rare accidental case where the government snaps into action to correct itself."

 

[Douglas Dubh]

Concerned isn’t the same as scared. Before traveling abroad make sure your paperwork is in order and then follow the laws of the country you’re in.

 

[Buzz Rules]

I'm curious, are there any British Disboarders on the UK planning board not part of the controversial board yet? If not, why not?

 

[DanM3]

I’m not. I’m insulted by people that accuse me of things I’m not doing.

The vast majority of international travelers have no reason to be scared. The ones that have run into trouble are almost entirely those that don’t follow the terms of their visas.

I think someone needs a Mickey Waffle and a hug from goofy

 

[DanM3]

I'm curious, are there any British Disboarders on the UK planning board not part of the controversial board yet? If not, why not?

I didn’t even know it existed! Just looked and I’ve had my fair share of weird and crazy today