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Original poster

Work trip to USA

162 replies

Wonderbug81 · 06/02/2026 07:54

I'm in a senior role and there's talk of a work trip to US this year. For context I've been to the US multiple times and even lived in NYC for a year a long time ago.

However I'm British Asian and I don't want to go - it's a very different place to the one I lived in.

At the moment it's not a firmed up plan but we'll be going to number of places (not just the more left wing cities) and I want to be ready to discuss it when the time comes.

OP posts:
Sausagescanfly · 08/02/2026 19:23

PithyViewer · 08/02/2026 19:05

As soon as you open your mouth as a Brit, they'll know! They're not interested in tourists on the visa waiver. They're after undocumented immigrants who have a serious criminal record in their home countries or the US, or ones who have simply entered illegally and made a whole life in the States. (I agree with getting rid of the criminals, but I think the good ones who work hard and pay taxes and have been here forever should be left alone.)

Long story short, they are not after British tourists!

Agree with someone who said the news doesn't represent daily life. I've been to the US recently. It was totally fine. You'd never know anything was wrong.

Edited
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If they can't tell a mobile phone from a gun, I'm not sure I'd want to rely on their ability to make judgements.

PithyViewer · 08/02/2026 19:05

Sausagescanfly · 08/02/2026 10:31

Do you think ICE can tell the difference between tourists and locals? I wouldn't bet my life on it.

Show quote history

As soon as you open your mouth as a Brit, they'll know! They're not interested in tourists on the visa waiver. They're after undocumented immigrants who have a serious criminal record in their home countries or the US, or ones who have simply entered illegally and made a whole life in the States. (I agree with getting rid of the criminals, but I think the good ones who work hard and pay taxes and have been here forever should be left alone.)

Long story short, they are not after British tourists!

Agree with someone who said the news doesn't represent daily life. I've been to the US recently. It was totally fine. You'd never know anything was wrong.

Original poster
Wonderbug81 · 08/02/2026 17:21

NoKidsSendDogs · 08/02/2026 12:52

Thank you, and yes it is despicable and so hard to believe that this is what it has come to.

I personally fully believe in the right to protest and if I was there now, I would be protesting, bc what this administration and its untrained and uneducated force of goons are doing is horrible. But that is besides the point. If you are in a state with more ice presence then you will probably be scared walking anywhere alone, just like I would be, and that's a horrible fear to have.

Are there other non white people going as part of this group who you could talk to? I imagine they would be feeling the same as you. That might be a place to start, bc if this thread is any indication, the rest just don't get it, which may be valid, I don't know. My husband didn't fully understand the fear I had last time we were there, solely bc he's never lived it.

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Thank you. Yes it's a Southern state with increased ICE presence.

Despite working in London my company is extremely undiverse so there's no one I can talk to. It's helpful to get different perspectives here from - as you say - people who have experience and/or at least an understanding of the challenges.

OP posts:
AnSolas · 08/02/2026 13:42

Goldenbear · 08/02/2026 13:07

Eh? A couple of million plus use the Tube every day, what are on you on about?

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Keep reading

Gloriia · 08/02/2026 13:08

It's like when people say they don't want to visit London because of knife crime or NYC after the terrorists attacks. What we see on the news doesn't represent everyday life.

As long as visitors have their correct documentation then just do it and follow travel advice. Although tbh unnecessary work trips to another continent to do anything that can be done remotely would seem a waste of everyone's time not to mention carbon footprint issues.

Goldenbear · 08/02/2026 13:07

AnSolas · 06/02/2026 20:45

Why?

If your company is working overseas your travel security is something which it should take into account.

I have worked medium size companies which has one recommendion that staff always have ther luggage brought up by a staff to make sure the room was empty and only take taxis which were arranged by the hotel or company

An international one which had kidnapp insurance and a ransom rescue team and had strict travel rules about having the local staff arrange visitor movement in some parts of the world.

Another which had to try manage political unrest which left local workers trapped on site for days and their famalies trapped at home.

Most will not book senior managers on the same planes anymore.

And just getting the tube and buses in London is not a safe activity any more.

The US is not going to have any more danger than is had before for a documented non-national traveling on business. And if the local staff feel there could be a problem they will be able to notify you and the UK office.

Your main risk from State actors is that you dont know how to manage interactions with an armed police force. Or that you would panic if you think you may be detained/arrested. "Mainly peaceful protest" is not happening and other political activism is usually avoidable.

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Eh? A couple of million plus use the Tube every day, what are on you on about?

NoKidsSendDogs · 08/02/2026 12:57

RampantIvy · 08/02/2026 09:48

What colour is your skin, and do you have an English sounding name?

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It's shocking how some people can't see how this makes a difference in the current climate.

NoKidsSendDogs · 08/02/2026 12:54

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

NoKidsSendDogs · 08/02/2026 12:52

Wonderbug81 · 08/02/2026 09:11

It must be so stressful so for you and your family. And I imagine it also must feel quite surreal.

It's interesting that some people read my first post about solely being gunned down by ICE (which led to responses like 'if you don't go to a protest you'l be fine'). It's very hard for some people to understand that it's about far more than that.

Show quote history

Thank you, and yes it is despicable and so hard to believe that this is what it has come to.

I personally fully believe in the right to protest and if I was there now, I would be protesting, bc what this administration and its untrained and uneducated force of goons are doing is horrible. But that is besides the point. If you are in a state with more ice presence then you will probably be scared walking anywhere alone, just like I would be, and that's a horrible fear to have.

Are there other non white people going as part of this group who you could talk to? I imagine they would be feeling the same as you. That might be a place to start, bc if this thread is any indication, the rest just don't get it, which may be valid, I don't know. My husband didn't fully understand the fear I had last time we were there, solely bc he's never lived it.

RampantIvy · 08/02/2026 12:37

jeaux90 · 08/02/2026 12:01

FGS I travel in and out of the US for work. Just got back. Immigration was the same as it’s always been. If you have an ESTA it’s fine, my sister lives there too so I am in and out with the DC for holidays etc The hysteria on here is ridiculous.

Are you white caucasian with an English/American sounding name?

Did you read that the OP is not white and has an Islamic sounding name?

jeaux90 · 08/02/2026 12:01

FGS I travel in and out of the US for work. Just got back. Immigration was the same as it’s always been. If you have an ESTA it’s fine, my sister lives there too so I am in and out with the DC for holidays etc The hysteria on here is ridiculous.

Frlrlrubert · 08/02/2026 11:39

DH went to the US for work last month. He said if he hadn’t
a) cleared immigration first by travelling through Dublin, and
b) looked 100% white,
he’d have seriously considered not going.

His main concern was being detained for spurious reasons at the airport more than the unrest on the streets, the stories of actual US citizens disappearing into detention centres for months because their travel documents were questioned are terrifying.

AnSolas · 08/02/2026 10:52

Sausagescanfly · 08/02/2026 10:31

Do you think ICE can tell the difference between tourists and locals? I wouldn't bet my life on it.

Show quote history

"Locals" blend into the background.

Local clothing
Local fashion quirks
people moving in crowds have a flow
etc.
Non locals including tourists can "pop" out in a group of locals

Non locals can and will pop but after living in an area people tend to blend in. Properly police will be looking for pops

Thats partly why the racial profiling is happening to local non-whites as they fit in (no pop) and dont have to speak etc to be flagged

Original poster
Wonderbug81 · 08/02/2026 10:33

Princessfluffy · 08/02/2026 10:13

DH does travel to some destinations I’d personally think of as less safe eg Nigeria, Pakistan, Egypt and is happy to go there but not to the US. He also has doubts as to whether his SM postings (anti Trump sentiments although nothing extreme) would mean they wouldn’t let him in.

Yes this is it and they have escalated things so fast - a year ago no one was talking about ICE shootings or invading countries, they can take issue with anything at any time! It's the unpredictability that makes me most uncomfortable.

OP posts:
Sausagescanfly · 08/02/2026 10:31

PithyViewer · 08/02/2026 03:46

You'll be absolutely fine. ICE isn't interested in tourists who are only there for a few days. Exercise common sense like you would in any foreign destination. Meaning, in this case, just don't protest at a rally or get in ICE's way and you'll be fine. Enjoy all the great things the US has to offer outside its currently-crazy administration. You have the opportunity to travel with someone else paying - grab it!

Do you think ICE can tell the difference between tourists and locals? I wouldn't bet my life on it.

Original poster
Wonderbug81 · 08/02/2026 10:31

Goditsmemargaret · 08/02/2026 10:11

Yanbu.

Our global conference was being arranged and when US was floated I said I would not be attending. I was then told that as I am a keynote speaker that wouldn't work and I said I didn't care, I would not be going.

My DH (and a partner in the business) is brown. We will not be setting foot in that place.

Glad you coud stand your ground. Why should either of you go somewhere you don't feel comfortable.

OP posts:
Princessfluffy · 08/02/2026 10:13

DH does travel to some destinations I’d personally think of as less safe eg Nigeria, Pakistan, Egypt and is happy to go there but not to the US. He also has doubts as to whether his SM postings (anti Trump sentiments although nothing extreme) would mean they wouldn’t let him in.

Goditsmemargaret · 08/02/2026 10:11

Yanbu.

Our global conference was being arranged and when US was floated I said I would not be attending. I was then told that as I am a keynote speaker that wouldn't work and I said I didn't care, I would not be going.

My DH (and a partner in the business) is brown. We will not be setting foot in that place.

Princessfluffy · 08/02/2026 10:08

@Wonderbug81yes and yes

99pwithaflake · 08/02/2026 09:57

I wouldn't go anywhere near the US right now, and I'm white with a white-sounding name.

No way.

RampantIvy · 08/02/2026 09:48

bevelino · 08/02/2026 09:20

I have just returned from a family trip to Georgia, no problem whatsoever. Border control were courteous and professional on entry and exit. I didn’t see anyone being harassed at all. OP, I doubt anything bad will happen if you go to the US.

What colour is your skin, and do you have an English sounding name?

Original poster
Wonderbug81 · 08/02/2026 09:44

Princessfluffy · 08/02/2026 09:26

Multiple people where DH works have refused US trips recently. DH would also refuse. YANBU

Thank you. Out of interest, were they white? And was it a general feeling of not wanting to be in a politically unsafe environment?

OP posts:
AnSolas · 08/02/2026 09:41

HundredMilesAnHour · 08/02/2026 09:30

And just getting the tube and buses in London is not a safe activity any more.

🙄Yet millions do it every day.

Keep reading

Sorry OP 🤣 my context may have been a little too subtle 🤷‍♀️

HundredMilesAnHour · 08/02/2026 09:30

And just getting the tube and buses in London is not a safe activity any more.

🙄Yet millions do it every day.

Princessfluffy · 08/02/2026 09:26

Multiple people where DH works have refused US trips recently. DH would also refuse. YANBU

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