Will we be allowed entry into the US??

[Haleesi45]

Hi, we are a Muslim family. My husband and I booked tickets to take our teenagers to New York during the Christmas hols. They were so excited but now post election...I'm worried we won't get a visa or worse be refused entry at JFK.

Why on Earth wouldn’t you be?

Have you got your ESTAs?

American here. If you've got all of the normal paperwork in order, there won't be a problem.

Do any of you have criminal records? Do you have your ESTA's?

@AnneLovesGilbert Trump previously imposed a "Muslim Ban".

@StasisMom It's on my list of things to do. It has been so hectic at work.

Don't be ridiculous

Nothing will change in terms of going on holiday you will be absolutely fine enjoy your trip

Well just do that and you'll be fine. You'll get the result very quickly.

Do you have criminal records? Why wouldn't you get in?

Of course you will. Just get your esta done.

He's not president yet

No criminal records.
Husband is a Doctor. I'm a teacher.

Trump won't be in charge until January so it doesn't matter what he previously did.

I understand OP, I have an Arab name/background and avoided going to the US for years due to concerns about being turned back for no reason.

Trump won't be in power until after Christmas, so I would go and enjoy it. Who knows what he might change after Jan 20th....

@CroysantNotKwason How is it ridiculous? I personally know friends who have been refused entry and they were going for their nephew's wedding. Surely you know that Muslims face discrimination at the US borders...

Thank you to everyone else for your messages. I feel reassured and will get cracking with the ESTA's.

But he doesn’t take over until January?

Biden is currently president and will be during your visit. There’s a large Muslim population in NYC (former New Yorker here). It’s a very ethnically diverse area. Just get your ESTAs in place. My (white, Christian, British) Dh was nearly deported on arrival simply for not having the right paperwork in place once.

You sound ridiculous. If you have the correct paperwork why on earth would you have an issue?

He doesn't become president until January

Those saying it’s ridiculous need to do their research. Trump has said he will expand the travel ban, and we know it will be more Muslim countries that he penalises.

I don’t think OP is being ridiculous at all. Trump definitely issued travel bans which affected Muslim travellers during his last term.

OP I think the bans were for people travelling from specific countries rather than a blanket ban on Muslims, but as PP have said he doesn’t take over until January anyway. I’m sorry that this is something that even has to cross your mind. Hope you enjoy your holiday.

There has never been a ban on Muslims. There has been an ban on people from certain countries (Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Syria, Sudan, Yemen, Libya).

I bet you won't be travelling using a passport from one of those countries so what's the issue?

US immigration officials are pretty horrible. I know a (white, Irish) person who was put into some type of immigration detention for breaking some rule.

I think they are allowed to refuse entry to anyone, its at their discretion.

But I can't imagine you would have any issue, especially if you have a UK passport. You don't need a visa, an ESTA is enough.

Oh it happens. My friend's brother was detained at JFK til he missed his connecting flight because his name was the same as someone on a watch list (just the name was the same, nothing else). His name is the Muslim equivalent of "John Smith", the most common Muslim name you can think of.

OP you will probably be OK but yeah, shit happens.

This is ridiculous, but I don't blame you. This is where the Left wing media have a lot to answer for in terms of fear-mongering and conspiracy theories.