Would You Travel to US in These Circumstances?

[USTravelWorrier]

I'm going to keep it brief, but the facts are:

Dual UK/other EU passport
Former academic, now London-based employee/consultant
Have written extensively about politics, and fascism in particular over the last period of time - published widely online and in print
Travelling to major American airport next week for work
Need to travel fairly frequently to the US on future business and have a three month contract there in September - December.

A colleague has suggested cancelling the trip, as the risk of getting stopped and returned is a live issue and next year is key for US based work. They pointed out that 'things' might be calmer in months to come. A postponement is possible but not great for several reasons, not least getting paid for the work that's gone into this trip.

Any thoughts appreciated.

They are not just ‘stopping and returning’ but putting people in detention/ holding for long periods in some cases. If you do go, I’d have an immigration lawyer on speed dial.

If you decide to go get your employer to provide you with a phone. Do not take any of your personal devices or external storage with you.

Honestly, I'd also be thinking carefully in your position. You will have to declare the nature of your work when you arrive - how will you describe that? I wouldn't carry a laptop or phone that allowed access to my work, social media, or writing. How easily is your work accessible online, and how easy is it to identify it to you? (do you write under your own name?) Have you contacted your employer to ask their thoughts about your safety, and to do a proper risk assessment?

Whether I went would depend on the money, I expect, and how much I needed it, but I'd try and think of alternative options first. Then I'd make sure I'd made myself as anonymous as possible upon arrival. And, as suggested above, make sure I had a lawyer briefed on my plans, and with arrangements for them to go looking for me if I didn't contact them upon arrival. I wouldn't assume that if I did get arrested, I'd be given the option of a phone call.

...and maybe wear a MAGA hat!