To not want to go to USA?

[DalekStarmer]

DH and I used to go to the states every year on holiday. Different places each time - we loved it. This stopped during Covid when our holiday to Montana was cancelled. After Covid we planned to go back but ended up cancelling due to various things. Anyway, DH is keen to get back to our US trips and wanted to go last year. I said I didn’t fancy it due to Trump and the new hostile attitude towards foreigners. I said I’d consider it this year … now I’m even less in favour of it. It just doesn’t feel safe at all. DH is disappointed. AIBU?

I went over Xmas, expected more time at immigration as was on a new esta, but 2 questions and waved through no hassle.
But I am white and middle aged. And it was Las Vegas and tourist numbers are down.

These additional ESTA requirements are being proposed:

https://www.visaverge.com/news/us-expands-esta-checks-to-include-five-years-of-social-media/

Questions about your past and present social media history, email addresses, and details of your family members.

No thanks, I don't want to be shot by some lunatic while shopping at the mall.

I am actively trying to minimise my consumption of stuff that would benefit the USA. This is a personal choice based on my values. I don’t like Trump or the nation which elected him twice.

What has it come to when speaking up about values and decisions is now labled as “performative”?

It’s likely safe enough for most tourists, but I’m a US citizen living in UK with no plans to visit again, probably ever. There are so many other places to visit more deserving of your support. I feel desperately sorry for my few remaining sane friends and family who live there.

I hate it when a country and its citizen are defined solely by its political leaders. Its such nonsense! Not 100% of Americans are partisans of the trump campaign. I believe if we take into consideration headcount, he wouldn't have been elected and that's not considering the percentage of non voters.

I have many American friends, some of them who have never been out of the country who hates trump with a passion. They still live, work, offer services to others. They are kind, considerate and welcoming. I've been to the States 4 times since Covid and I've been amazed how welcoming I've felt each time. Then again, this is MN !

We won’t go again until trump is gone.

Totally agree
Virtue signalling gibberish

My SIL was detained by US immigration years ago, over 30 years ago because I have been with DH for 30 years and it was prior to that. She also messed up her visa like that Welsh girl so it’s all on them.

So don't go. It's no biggie, the US people, government and President won't give two hoots either way.

You can decide not to give your tourist money to a country whose president you don’t like. That’s fine.

But I do not think you would be unsafe based on the events of yesterday. It seems as though you’d be more likely to be shot by a random shooter member of the public than by an ICE agent. Different states have different gun arrangements as well so it depends on where you’d be going.

And your DH doesn’t need to be disappointed if you can go on another fabulous holiday somewhere else, which presumably you can. Why don’t you go to Iceland?

Good for her. And that relates to 99% of people how?

There is always something weird going on somewhere. That’s the bread and butter of the news. Presumably you don’t do anything ever because someone somewhere had something bad happen to them? Better be careful breathing!

When those doing it reveal they are massive hypocrites at practically every turn. It’s just the latest bandwagon now the previous bandwagons are less glossy.

We’re not on social media and DH and I have not shared our views with anyone apart from my anonymous post on this thread.

What do you think Mumsnet is?

The US is an amazing place. As long as you’ve got your passport, you’ll be fine. Don’t listen to everything you see on social media. For starters, states have a lot of autonomy. Any rules or regulations you face are more likely to be at the state than federal level. Waiting to travel just because you don’t like the president is giving into scaremongering.
I’ve got American family. Jobs are going up. Prices are going down. Cities are safer than they’ve ever been. Now is the time to go.

Yes Canada, where they offer to kill depressed or disabled people and allow Men in dresses free reign, arresting Women who complain, what’s not to love? 🙄

You’re conflating people who are afraid to go there and people who are not afraid but choose not to.

I wouldn’t be able to cross the border anyway, because of my “choice words” on the current US Government and its President on social media. I’d go to Canada 🇨🇦 instead, as pp have said.

Nope - we go every other year on business and combine with a holiday at the moment I’ve ruled it out - zoom meetings it is . My social media and Hs too is full of anti Trump stuff and even if I delete it I’m not sure they aren’t monitoring , even though I’m no threat - just expressing an opinion . It’s also gobsmacking expensive and we go to NY or California. Makes Scandinavia look cheap- please give your lovely tourist dollar to the Canadians - much more pleasant place and less dog eat dog - better value too

Cities are safe ? .

Frequent visitor to the u.s for both work and leisure. Im going next week to AZ and CA, very much looking forward to it.

Exactly -

YANBU. I'd not be worried about safety, just morally I want wouldn't want to give Trump's America my tourism bucks.

Got plenty of friends in the USA who are no fans of Trump. Though I'd like to go one day, I wouldn't want to go there right now.