Work trip to USA

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.

You’re less at risk in the southern states tbh. Trump called ICE into the cities who dislike him the most as revenge. Texas for example has some of the lowest ICE enforcement yet highest immigrant numbers. Also if they’re racially profiling (which they are) you will be fine. It’s the Latin Americans who are being targeted. The whole thing is sickening. But basically unless you’re a person of colour working a manual job (street food vendors, Home depot helpers (b&q type house stuff) or a nanny) or you’re running around waving a f*ck trump sign, you’ll be ok.

This is like the videos of people going around Warsaw claiming their is no violence there. One person's experience is not a sensible way to assess risk.

Just go and ignore the idiots.

Best I can offer.

USA is full of non Trump creeps.

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!

"it's actually purple haired mostly white liberals who are screaming like idiots, attacking people, wanting to know your political views so they can try to cancel you etc."

Well, if that ain't a biased generalization, I know what is. Seriously.

This is a good post. All large multinationals and many smaller companies with overseas operations will have Business Travel and Personal Accident Insurance. This cover often comes with an optional extension to cover ‘Special risks’, i.e. Kidnap and Ransom insurance. For companies who have large numbers of employees travelling every year, or to destinations that might be considered riskier than an EU country, they will tend to buy a standalone K&R policy.

My advice if you are concerned would be to read any internal business policies relating to international travel and request details of any relevant insurance policies in place, as well as what access/support is available to you should something happen during your trip (most insurers offer a 24/7 contact line for providing support and advice, including access to the services of security/crisis management specialists).

I suspect most of the people here saying, what's the issue, you will be safe, you're with work colleagues, etc etc are not fully understanding your concerns. I am an American citizen currently living in the UK and I'm not white. I haven't lived there for about 13 years but I go back home regularly. My parents live in a blue state and my brother lives in a red one. My husband is white and English, for context. We were there a few months ago and I felt much more unsafe than he did and it's only gotten worse since. You are completely warranted to worry about what might happen. Ice are grabbing people off of the streets and attacking them, all people who they think can't fight back. As a non white woman it is totally valid to be worried. My mom is also an American citizen but she is a small, brown woman and I worry about her constantly. It is not crazy to see what is happening in America right now and to worry that it's not safe. I don't think it would be an issue to bring it up with your colleagues, as long as they are rational, thinking humans who aren't living under a rock.

Yes I know. But if it’s an option you can vote with your feet. My husband goes to America a lot less than he used to. He declines as many trips as possible.

It’s not a holiday. It’s a work trip.

You are gaslighting.
it is truly dangerous here in the US right now, and suggesting someone should see their GP for anxiety when this is REAL is absolutely unhinged. You should maybe see your GP, but unfortunately there aren’t any medications that help a person gain empathy.

I’d take my business (money/custom) elsewhere. Vote with my feet and stay away.

YANBU. I live here (on the west coast, in a blue area) and I would not come here. And I won’t travel to any large U.S. city myself right now.
I know it might feel alarmist, but it truly isn’t safe right now… it maybe only feels like you’re being unreasonable (if you’re questioning this at all) because it just doesn’t seem like this could possibly be real - but it is.

it is INSANE what is going on right now.

i hope you can get out of coming here. I’m so sorry.

it’s true, the chances of you being safe are quite high, but why risk even the slightest chance of being dragged away and locked in one of their detainment places?

they’re not following any kind of due process. They are just bullies running around grabbing people. It’s truly horrific.

Could you be a little more patronising.

I don't understand, surely if you're in a senior role you have the skills to put forward your concerns rationally to your boss and suggest zoom or similar instead?

Agree with pp unless you're going there illegally and intend to harass and obstruct law enforcement officers I don't think you've anything to worry about. Have you seen your gp about anxiety? It can often creep up on us particularly when heading towards or in peri/meno.

I understand your concerns. When DD went to New York with school her white teacher from Manchester, but with a Spanish name was interrogated by immigration for 2 hours.

There is a sinister atmosphere so I wouldn't blame a non white to think twice.

Exactly my point.

And people were back on buses the next day?

@Wonderbug81 And what % of those stats is against business visitors from the uk? I’d bet very little or none. It’s just over dramatic to think any of that will affect you. Your bosses might think you are just not wanting to do your job if the US matters to their business. If it’s just a jolly, don’t go.

And me on the ground have not experienced any of that but because the Guardian told you so therefore you spiral into despair and fear.

As I said the average American is going about their business as normal so it's up to you to keep getting yourself worked up over stats from the Guardian or not. Again there is an unhealthy amount of news about the US out where and it's very easy to just spiral on and on when majority of the news is exacerbated and biased.

Am I saying nothing is happening, of course not but when you read stuff like that or look on mumsnet or reddit it's like Armageddon in the USA which absolutely not true.

To avoid you continuing to spiral just tell your boss you don't want to go and move on with your life.

According to mumsnet I have to duck and hide and sprint every time I leave my house in Chicago because I'm a person of colour. FYI I don't and I have no fear or concern.

And yes immigration related arrests will affect people of colour way more because you have millions who have crossed the southern border, there is no way you will arrest equal number of whites and Hispanics for immigration related offences because guess what, there are way way way more hispanics who crossed the border illegally compared to eg white Brits. Guess what even under Obama and Biden most deportees will be southern and central Americans who crossed the border illegally so I don't get what you expect.

Also you do know that media can be biased as well right? You do know that mainstream media is dying and use sensational fear mongering to stay relevant right?

I've read some of those articles including the one by the Guardian story but they are NOT balanced views at all.

But as I said instead of spiraling on mumsnet, make the decision once and for all and inform you boss and move on with your life. You will always find what you look for, if you look for incidents of kindness and friendliness in the US you will also find it.

Also when they say 53% reported hate incidents is that 53% from 100 people or 53% from 10 million people???? There a reason they use those percentages not absolutes because it's more sensational.