To think it's crazy to be planning a holiday to the USA right now

[Fragmentedbrain]

I know border control there has never been a relaxed experience but the risk of being detained arbitrarily for weeks or longer seems unacceptably high now.

I hold a US passport but am settled in the UK. I travel to America frequently. As a citizen and dual taxpayer I have the same rights as citizens living in the US.

Recently I am questioned at entry for the first time ever. How long have you been living in the UK, why do you live in the UK, what is the purpose of your visit? I have made the same ‘for work’ mistake as PP but I can earn as much as I like in the US and ICE should know this. Perhaps half the time I get questions.

FWIW I am white so questions aren’t completely racially focused.

Why on earth would he get a US passport? He's not a US citizen, wasn't born in the US, has never lived in the US, has absolutely no plans to ever live in the US.

I don’t make the rules!

He is a UK citizen but if he is also a US citizen via his father he has to enter the US on a US passport.

Again: is his father a US citizen?

If so, with very few exceptions, his son is automatically a US citizen.

Not strictly correct about ESTA. Anyone who has bern to Cuba (a few other places are on the list too, such as Sudan, but Cuba is the “big” one for British people as it very popular) is ineligible for an ESTA. There are also other reasons for being ineligible. My parents (who are British citizens) are no longer eligible as they went on a vacation to Cuba last year.

I’m a US citizen living in the US. Not heard of any tourists being arbitrarily detained. I agree with you on that.

When the governments of several countries, inc. the UK, issue travel advisory notices about visiting the USA it's probably best to go elsewhere for now.

Source?

But not necessarily a passport holder.

The US can withdraw citizenship if you are born to a US parent but never live there , or fail to renew a passport.

Source: me.

That's completely incorrect.

I believe there have been several Canadians and a few other nationalities “held” for extended periods. Or simply denied entry. Sometimes both (denied entry and held).
Canada currently has a travel advisory to avoid the USA I believe.

It’s actually illegal to enter the US with another passport if you’re a US citizen. I’m a dual citizen. Have to use my US passport to enter the US whether I like it or not.

Exactly. It has always been like this, but now it's like on steroids.

I remember visiting Lebanese friends in the US more than 20 years ago. I can pass for European/Lebanese (have EU passport by birth) but was shocked at how I was treated. This was after 9/11, just for having Middle Eastern connections.

There's no way I would travel now, better safe than sorry.

About as close to the USA as I want to get for now 😁

If your father is a US citizen, and was a US citizen at the time of your birth, and has spent 5 or more years in the US, with at least 2 of these years being after the age of 14, the child is automatically a US citizen from birth.

Who has been detained arbitrarily for weeks?

Do you not follow the news?

Irish tourist overstayed his visa to US for 3 days due to a medical situation not being able to fly. ICE picked him up, fuck knows where he ended up. He had a girlfriend there he was visiting.

Fascism has arrived in USA.

You couldn't pay me to go there. And I am a white European woman.

If you have Mumsnet you have Google.

Yes, please don’t go. One less foolish person for those of us who are going to have to deal with.

But eligibility for citizenship still has to be proved. And, for a number of complex reasons to do with ds's father's general "disposition" (for want of a better word) that aren't directly relevant to this thread, it hasn't been.

In any case, ds isn't the slightest bit interested in having a US passport. Not everyone wants to become a US citizen even if they may, technically, have been entitled to. That shouldn't mean that going through US immigration becomes a huge PITA and shouldn't be a source of suspicion.

I have family there and visit quite frequently. I've noticed that not only is it quicker these days, it is also friendlier.

Last time I mentioned that to the official directing the queue. She was so grateful to have someone say something complimentary instead of moaning that she directed us past the queue to the next available window.

Well, that's somewhat adding detail to the earlier stated belief that a PP's DS could somehow swan through immigration.

Nice bit of scaremongering. If you have a valid passport and haven’t lied on your esta (or visa if you require one) you have nothing to worry about.

Personally I wouldn’t even consider a visit to the USA until Trump is gone. You’re crazy to even think about it, by going there or attempting to go there you’re endorsing the behaviour

I have family there and visit quite frequently. I've noticed that not only is it quicker these days, it is also friendlier

Read the fucking room.

You must be a white European....

Personally I wouldn’t even consider a visit to the USA until Trump is gone. You’re crazy to even think about it, by going there or attempting to go there you’re endorsing the behaviour

Exactly!

🥱