To think visiting the US is justifiable in these circumstances?

[AnnaQuayInTheUk]

Lots of my friends are, like me, very anti Trump and all he stands for. Some of us were having a discussion the other evening about boycotting US products and not visiting the US whilst Trump is in power.

We are planning a visit to the US later this year. It's not yet booked and lots of my friends were trying to persuade me not to go.

However, they are all aware that the reason we are going is to see my Father in Law. He is 93 and, whilst currently in good health, that might not be the case for much longer. We haven't seen him for 3 years. He is almost totally deaf so DH can't have conversations with him over the phone. He doesn't use Facetime or any video calling services so we can't actually see him.

DH is an only child and really wants to see his dad. One of my good friends told me that she thought that, even given the circumstances, we should stand on our principles and not go. Another friend was more sympathetic initially but then said she thought it was hypocritical to criticise Trump and then visit America.

AIBU to think that it's justifiable to go to the USA given the reason?

Blimey just go.

Boycotting the USA won't bother Trump! Only you will miss out.

of course it is

In a year or two people will forget how passionate they feel about Trump, we will become desensitised to his rantings and actions again as we did last time

oh and you need better friends. They sound very immature.

Oh no, is this the new trend in virtual signalling? The new "I'm holidaying by train this year to save emissions" 😴

We're off to the States next month and I can't wait!

Your friends sound deranged, of course you should go and see your FIL!

Very strange for your friends to take such an interest in your travel plans. None of their business

Family above ideology 100%.

There is nothing unreasonable about wanting to visit an elderly relative.

Does your friend also not visit other countries because of ideology or is it solely just because everyone is on the Trump hysteria bandwagon at the moment?

I don't think it's strange. It was part of a conversation about Trump and politics in the US where people were saying they wouldn't visit. I said I wasn't looking forward to going there this summer which led to further debate about whether it was ok to visit to see a relative rather than for a holiday.

As I said upthread, I think my/our decision to go is the right one, I'm interested in whether others also think we're wrong/unreasonable or if they are being too harsh.

Are you 5? Do you need to copy your friends to get them to like you. Seriously if you are asking about visiting a very elderly family member over pleasing your friends, then you really need your head checked. Why do you even need to justify anything to anyone?

@ConnieSlow for goodness sake, I'm not copying my friends and am very clear that we are going to the States. Theres no need to be nasty.

Try-hards attempting to show what great, principled people they are accidentally turning themselves into gigantic arseholes who are oblivious to the optics…. feels like a story I’ve read quite a lot over the past few years.
Your “friends” are very tiresome, I’d ignore them and do the right thing for my family every time.

You don't need to justify yourself to anyone

Of course yanbu.

I wouldn't dream of going to the US under the current regime personally, but I don't have elderly relatives there. I think that changes the equation entirely, and in your position, you would be unreasonable not to go.

I would sanitise your phone/social media before going though. Just in case.

The advice re sanitising my SM is sobering. I can't believe that it's come to this.

I wouldn't go to America under any circumstances, and I've said this for years.

You don't need to justify yourself or your decision to anyone, however. Do what works best for you and your family and it's nothing to do with anyone else.

Bear in mind it's only what's on your physical device, not what's stored remotely (at least not yet!)

Of course you should go to see your husbands 93 year old father!!! Your friends are virtue signalling idiots

Check your visa carefully and make sure you all meet all entry and exit requirements. Also think carefully about travelling if you have any criminal record.

the Uk and Germany have both issued warnings about travelling to the US in light of a spate of foreign nationals being detained or refused entry.

Also to add, I think the risk is fairly minimal if you are clearly tourists and not frequent travellers (without the global traveller scheme). I've noticed that a certain amount of visits per year triggers some sort of flag and they quiz you a lot more.

I'm US and I support boycotts, but yeah, here I would be pro your husband seeing his dad in person.

One suggestion if he does go, buy a burner phone and only have necessary apps on it.

Of course it's ok to visit an elderly close relative.
I wouldn't choose to go there on holiday but that's completely different

You should absolutely go, without guilt or shame. Family comes first. You’re not going for a holiday you could take elsewhere.

If it’s any help, the “advice” that they’re reporting that the UK and Germany have added to their travel advice is just repeating that you need to follow the rules:

eg the UK wording is “You should comply with all entry, visa and other conditions of entry. The authorities in the US set and enforce entry rules strictly. You may be liable to arrest or detention if you break the rules.”

So, if you’ve got an ESTA, you’ve got a return flight, you’ve given the correct (and truthful) answers on your esta, you’re not a prolific anti Trump poster on social media… you’re likely to be fine.

I would go in this case, but I would be careful what's on your social media and phone. I've read several cases in the last week of people having their electronics seized and being interrogated by ICE. They're not playing.

Anyone with a criminal record would not not be eligible to travel under an Esta and would require a B1/B2 visa which dependant on the crime would likely be rejected.

Not really any different to the entry requirements for US visitors coming to the UK.

Eg Falling in Reverse cannot tour the UK because of Ronnie Radke's previous US criminal conviction.