Work trip to USA

[Wonderbug81]

I'm in a senior role and there's talk of a work trip to US this year. For context I've been to the US multiple times and even lived in NYC for a year a long time ago.

However I'm British Asian and I don't want to go - it's a very different place to the one I lived in.

At the moment it's not a firmed up plan but we'll be going to number of places (not just the more left wing cities) and I want to be ready to discuss it when the time comes.

Why is getting the tube and buses in London not safe anymore?! I live in London and get public transport most days, as do millions of other Londoners and visitors, and quite a few people on this thread, I would imagine.

@OhDear111 what’s a ‘standard British person’??

I was in NYC recently and I have to say...it felt really on edge, more than usual. Maybe it was psychological, I must be watching too much news. I saw police cars patrolling in Central Park and I instantly felt a bit stressed.

I wouldn't risk going to a southern state if I was anything other than a white blonde man, and even that isn't without risk these days it seems.

If you risk assess

The trains and buses of major cities were used as targets by terrorist eg Japan Spain and the UK.

HGV etc are used in open public spaces.

If the OP is worried about a trip to the US the company should be doing a proper risk assessment.

Its 4 years out from a failed revolution and has not recovered from the political unrest. Then there is the change in policing and any political unrest should be assessed in conjunction with its local staff.

YANBU - look up the the recent testimony of US citizen Aliyah Rahman about her experience at the hands of ICE.
Edited to add - her experience from Jan 2026.

London public transport is extremely safe. Millions of people use it daily with no problems, and the only major incident on it was the 2005 bombings, which was terrible but happened once in the 200+-year history of London’s public transport network.

however it happened

Yes, it did, but I think it’s safe to say it hasn’t put people off using public transport in London. As I said, millions of people use it daily, and pretty much rely on it. Few people in London have enough money to avoid using public transport altogether. I’m very surprised that an isolated incident from over twenty years ago has affected you so much. Are you a survivor of it?

I’ve worked for US software companies for 25+ years and am married to an America, so have been in and out of the US many times. I can attest to the abruptness of US immigration and I can attest that many officers are professional. I can also speak to a number of both British Asian colleagues and Indian colleagues who have had major problems even prior to Trump. That included one senior member of our mgmt - British Asian - who always planned for an assumed three hour hold on entry, despite being and even more regular visitor to the US than me.

Have lived in the USA as a white person in the first trump administration, when it wasn't even like today,and don't think you're being unreasonable at all.

Big companies often have special travel security plans for particular international destinations. That can mean special rules about bringing your electronics, extra travel allowances so you don’t walk in cities, or even hired security escorts. Some places we might travel, we get briefings like to simply presume the hotel room is bugged.

I would start by asking if your company has done a recent review on their travel policies for the U.S. will they be providing fresh laptops with minimal installs? Will they be providing burner phones for both work and personal use?

Rather than outright refuse, ask them to show they are taking security seriously. Then decide if you are comfortable with their plan.

I am point out the OP needs to do a risk assessment of the location the OP is travelliing to for work

Really? Are you going to drive your car up to ICE agents or go "protest" in between meetings while you're there???

If you go your trip will be fine and nothing will happen, and it's fine if you don't want to go, tell your boss but millions of people are living normal lives in the US as we speak.

😂 😆

I’m sure the OP’s workplace will do a risk assessment.

I’m very curious though about why you think London public transport is so unsafe. It seems your main argument for this is a terrorist attack that happened nearly 21 years ago. But Brussels had terrorist attacks in one of its airports and train stations more recently (about 10 years ago), and I notice you’re not saying its public transport is unsafe?

You may be sure that the OPs workplace will do a risk assessment the OP clearly is not

So you're in the " they deserved it" camp?

I never said that.

I said 'To be honest this list of questions is putting me off even more. It's one thing going somewhere you'd be uncomfortable/fearful for family/life or death but I just don't see why I should do it for a commercial reason.'

Aah the laughing emoji. A sure sign of an intelligent thought out argument

No, I believe in the right to protest but what many of those professional protestors are doing is NOT protesting. Attacking, driving your car, blocking agents, throwing objects at them, spitting at them etc is NOT protesting.

I live in Chicago and I am black FYI before anyone comes at with accusations of white privilege and I totally agree with what the head of the Chicago Police department said here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPgj87skRhT/?igsh=ajRrd2FraW9yNW5l

You can protest but attacking federal agents doing their job because you don't agree with the policy is absolutely wrong and it endangers the so called protesters, the agents but also the people they are trying to support.

And this mess is made worse by Democrat cities declaring themselves sanctuary cities then implementing policies that try to frustrate federal immigration enforcement all for their political gains. There's a reason Democrat cities who deare themselves sanctuary cities make it illegal to require ID to vote.

That's like Sadiq Khan declaring that London will not abide by Home Office immigration laws and then intentionally make moves to frustrate enforcement.

Here is another person saying the exact same thing, attacking federal agents is NOT protesting.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1FCDhkLp13/

Fine. Can you explain your dislike of London public transport though?

I hear you. Lived there in 90s on east coast in enlightened areas. It was scarily black white divided. Even in New York State and city. That is why I didn’t stay. And I’m white. Lots ethnic mix but don’t ever recall seeing one hijab in 3 years and across loads states

Here you go

Mainly peaceful protesting UK
2011
2024

I'm American, actually live pretty close to Minnesota. You need to remember that you are only seeing the news clips. A lot is sensational. America is very big with a lot of people. Mostly we are just going about as business as usual. ICE agents suck, but there not something you're going to realistically come across.

Honestly, don’t believe the internet. Go there and see for yourself. The population and nation is not trump. The USA has been the place where minorities, race, gender, everything, can rise the to the highest roles (compared with elsewhere) for years and still is. I’m not American but I have worked there and they are not wrong it is the land of the free (comparatively - still work to do). If you think the uk and Europe are better you are wrong. They hide their racism behind politeness but it is way stronger. Trump is an aberration. I hope they get rid of him soon.