A European author recounts her previous positive experiences traveling to the US but expresses her decision to cancel a planned trip to Niagara Falls due to growing anxieties about US border control policies. The author cites several news stories, including that of a French scientist denied entry due to critical remarks found on his phone, increasing her apprehension.
The author highlights the advice she received from American friends and online forums suggesting that travelers should avoid mentioning their profession (journalist) and consider bringing a secondary phone without personal data. The author's concerns are further fueled by accounts of tourists facing lengthy detentions, like a British woman held for 19 days, even for perceived minor visa violations. This uncertainty led her to cancel her trip.
The article notes a decrease in flight bookings from Europe and Canada to the US, reflecting a broader trend of apprehension. Several European countries have issued travel warnings for their citizens. The author expresses her apprehension, linking it not only to the strict border controls but also to the perceived political instability and past rhetoric from the Trump administration unfriendly to Europe. Her decision highlights the impact of evolving geopolitical relations on travel decisions.
The author concludes by expressing hope for future travel to the US when the situation stabilizes, but for now, she's choosing alternative destinations such as Italy.