Is USA safe to visit?

I imagine you’ll need to give IP addresses so the information would be checked electronically

Sharing social media is currently optional not compulsory for an ESTA

Thanks for sharing that - was looking for it earlier to post here

A poster on this thread had to cancel their holiday after their ETSA was revoked a last minute.

Apparently their DH LinkedIn was problematic.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/holidays/5458086-proposed-us-immigration-changes

Although a work colleague knows someone who got turned away due to having anti Trump posts on her social media
That's surely not absolutely fine... My US friends certainly aren't ok with that. The principle of self-censorship is so profoundly un-American it gives them hives just to think about it.

The CBS 60 minutes report on CECOT was pulled from the air: creeping censorship in action (why would the administration have to approve TV current affairs reports in a truly 'free' country?)

We went to California in October and flew into San Francisco. It was absolutely fine. We had to share social media details for the ESTA but I don't have Facebook and my husband doesn't use his so no worries there. We got finger printed going in, although my husband's right hand wouldn't take the prints. We joked that if he was to commit a robbery it's have to be with his left hand, and got waved through. It was all much more fussfree thanast time I went tbh (2 years ago). Although a work colleague knows someone who got turned away due to having anti Trump posts on her social media so 🤷🏽‍♀️

I’m not taking about the war or holocaust. I’m talking about the 30s. When rhetoric ramped up, groups of oppressed people were pilloried and blamed for societal ills. When groups of people were singled out, many imprisoned without due process. When elected officials talked openly about deporting or otherwise ‘dealing’ with oppressed groups. When they spoke openly about circumventing the constitution or other political balances. When the leader talks openly about annexing or invading other peaceful, democratic, sovereign nations.

Not every 1930s turns into a 1939-1945. But those who forget history are condemned to repeat it and what is happening in the US should be taken seriously. I’m quite sure the men in Salvadoran prisons being treated akin to torture, with no due process don’t think it’s minimising.

So despite your many anti Trump posts, and general sentiment, was everything ok?

I also struggle to see how the changes - if approved- will be implemented in practice. It's all going to have to be on the basis of a declaration in good faith. Some people will struggle to remember all the info required (depending on how much they use social media).

I normally go a couple of times a year. Last time I went on my own which I'm normally fine with, I must admit I was a little nervous about under the circumstances. I have many an anti Trump post on my social media and don't think I'll be back until he's out of power as it's just so unjust and unpredictable. Everything is fine until it's not. Will you be fine in your circumstances? Almost 100% yes. As my trips aren't for any specific reason, I'll be waiting to go back till all the lunacy calms down. Any way we can help tourism continue to fall as a form of protest, I'm a fan of.

The announced plans are subject to consultation so no changes yet

I think a lot of people held (or still hold) the US to higher standards.

I did an Esta online form and the social media was optional, I didn’t tick it and my Esta was approved

Over half of them obviously, because they voted for him…

Agree. There are dozens of countries with repressive or undemocratic regimes whose citizens have been put in prison without fair trial, with highly restrictive cultural and social norms that see visitors routinely arrested and detained without recourse to legal or consular advice.. UK tourists still visit these and seem to maintain their moral blinkers for the duration.

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

https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/

The handing over social media is a proposal at the moment BBC

The proposal says "the data element will require ESTA applicants, external to provide their social media from the last 5 years", without giving further details of which specific information will be required.
The existing ESTA requires a comparatively limited amount of information from travellers, as well as a one-off payment of $40 (£30). It is accessible to citizens of about 40 countries - including the UK, Ireland, France, Australia and Japan - and allows them to visit the US multiple times during a two-year period.

To be fair, LAX is one of the worst airports. I hate landing there.

Trump seems to have some magical quality in that he somehow uses the hatred towards him from those who can't stand him to blind their own common sense.

No, and neither are most Americans themselves, actually.

Trump, however despicable, doesn't define the US.
There's lots to like and do there. I'm going this year with DS.

@perellonuts the new ESTA rules have not yet come in to place so you can apply now and not need to submit social media info as they are valid for two years from issue. I was in the USA last month, border control didn’t feel any different to usual. You are more likely to encounter issues if you have dual citizenship, are from a country deemed ‘unsavoury’ by the current administration or have a skin tone that isn’t white, have a criminal history or have have ever overstayed a visa. If that’s not the case then there is no reason for you to have any issues. I get feeling nervous but the risk is very small.

I was there a few months ago.
If your only concern is ICE/ poss social media scrutiny, I wouldn't worry. They did ask for social media info at immigration, on the form, but if you left it blank, I doubt anyone would even question it. I don't use facebook (or rather didn't until the last few months) /tik tok, or X and wasn't questioned as to why I didn't provide details.

As a family travelling, you're going to be nowhere near the top of anyone's list.

The Immigration process was straightforward, the guy was nice. That's it really. I even got pulled over for a minor traffic violation in Arizona, cop was perfectly pleasant, let me off with a citation.

What a ridiculous statement, among many others on this thread. So much hyperbole and hysteria.
And the poster debating going with her gay son? I despair.
OP, yes, the US is perfectly safe.

"Arabic name by marriage" (07:29)
"We are invited as a family, they are putting us all in a hotel" (08:09)

I agree, it's not clear, and it goes against the original pitch, which seemed to evoke the struggles of the professional single parent of a neurodiverse child; however with subsequent information the inference is there.

Still no explanation as to why son cannot be cared for by his father at home, while OP travels to collect her award, but 🤷‍♀️.