Australians travelling to the US are advised to exercise caution upon arrival at airports following a crackdown by immigration officials under the Trump administration.
Nicole Saroukos, a former police officer from south-west Sydney, shared her troubling experience when she visited her husband, a member of the US military. Despite holding a valid visa, she faced severe scrutiny from border officials, was jailed overnight in Honolulu, and subsequently deported. Saroukos reported feeling targeted, as officials questioned her about the number of clothes she carried for a three-and-a-half-week trip and scrutinised her tattoos, which she perceived as racial profiling.
Reports suggest increased scrutiny at US airports, with individuals being rejected entry for seemingly arbitrary reasons, including apps on their phones. Immigration lawyer Andrea Szew noted the subjective nature of decisions made by border officials, emphasizing the potential for harsh treatment based on a border officer’s mood or interpretation of the situation. There are concerns that some officials feel emboldened by America-first policies, leading them to conduct thorough searches of personal devices and luggage.
A fellow traveller, Renee Curry, observed that some passengers on their flight faced similar issues, highlighting a growing trend of heightened scrutiny. To navigate these challenges, travellers are advised to remain calm, polite, and honest in their dealings with officials. It is important to be prepared when travelling to the US, including having a printed itinerary and avoiding one-way tickets.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has issued updated travel advice, stressing that entry requirements to the US are stringent. Travellers are urged to be aware of these challenges but not to be deterred from visiting the US.