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.

I know it's too late and not the point of your post, but I don't think booking holidays to the US is wise without the ESTA first. Hopefully it will be smooth from here

I don’t think there would be any issue at all if you have a UK passport, but I can understand why you would be nervous

I have Muslim friend and her husband works in the US a lot. He always encourages his colleagues to go on ahead without him as without fail he is stopped at the airport every time and questioned. He's never not been allowed through though. So maybe allow time for that if you can, although I would hope this wouldn't happen as you're travelling as a family.

The ban was for people travelling from and with the passports from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days and was in 2017.

I have no idea why you would think you would have any problems? Especially as he is not even president.

I am white and American and have problems in US immigration. I think they are completely unbiased - they are awful to everyone!!

its not all about you!!
stop being dramatic and apply for ESTA. Be ready to answer the normal questions at port of entry … and refrain from bitching about these questions on MN. Most people get asked the same questions!
Same questions people get asked entering UK !!!!

Thankfully there are people doing their jobs ! And keeping an eye on the John Smiths!

You'll be fine. NYC is very multi-cultural and I'm sure you'll have a great time.
If I was you I'd get the ESTA applications done soon as because if there is a problem you'll need time to get a full visa.

Also, be aware that US immigration is fierce. They'll take your fingerprints and ask questions about why you're there, where you're staying, how long you're going to be there etc. It's the same for everyone. It's quite intimidating. Totally different to immigration in any other country I've been to.

As an American who voted Reoublican, you'll be fine! Please don't worry, you can have holidays.

No need to panic. He didn't ban Muslims full stop - he banned a select few countries that had massive links to terrorism.

Go and enjoy your trip it'll be fabulous

Very dismissive tone from some posters on this thread. I remember when the ban first was imposed and a Muslim teacher (born and raised in the UK with a UK passport) was turned around at the border for no good reason they could give him. He seemed quite sad about it on the news at the time. That really put me off trying my luck tbh.

Get cracking with your ESTA application and enjoy your relaxing holiday. Stop making the rest of us jealous 🤣

It's a worry how many people want to tell OP she's being ridiculous.

How quickly people forget!

Have people forgotten the travel bans that Trump put in place last time.

I’m assuming you know this, but you really should have got the ESTA FIRST!! Not the flights!

There were no travel bans against Muslims.

TRUMP is not in power at Christmas

Yes I wonder how many of them are Muslims talking from experience?

No but he put travel bans against people from certain countries.

We don't know if OP has a UK passport. She could have a passport from somwhere else.

She could be in process of gaining UK citizenship for all we know.

You probably still can but are you sure you want to?

this^
OP will be fine this Christmas holidays as she will be coming while Biden is President. But it doesn’t mean that it’s a ridiculous question in principle.

You need to give hotel details on the ESTA application so it's more about applying really early.

On a side note, NYC is amazing at Christmas!
I went last year and we loved it!

you’ll have a fantastic time.
definitely get a Go City pass and pre book attractions before you go :)

Yes, a lot of people need to check their white privilege. Former Conservative MP Nadhim Zahawi was not allowed to go to USA to see his son when Trump was in power before because the ban was for people who were born in certain countries and Zahawi was born in Iraqi. And it was when Zahawi was an MP and I think even had a post in government.

Ah the days of the Trump travel bans.

I remember them!

He was very strict on people coming into the USA.

It was termed a 'muslim ban' was created by the media, the ban related to countries.