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.

It’s not a holiday. It’s a work trip.

Yes I know. But if it’s an option you can vote with your feet. My husband goes to America a lot less than he used to. He declines as many trips as possible.

I suspect most of the people here saying, what's the issue, you will be safe, you're with work colleagues, etc etc are not fully understanding your concerns. I am an American citizen currently living in the UK and I'm not white. I haven't lived there for about 13 years but I go back home regularly. My parents live in a blue state and my brother lives in a red one. My husband is white and English, for context. We were there a few months ago and I felt much more unsafe than he did and it's only gotten worse since. You are completely warranted to worry about what might happen. Ice are grabbing people off of the streets and attacking them, all people who they think can't fight back. As a non white woman it is totally valid to be worried. My mom is also an American citizen but she is a small, brown woman and I worry about her constantly. It is not crazy to see what is happening in America right now and to worry that it's not safe. I don't think it would be an issue to bring it up with your colleagues, as long as they are rational, thinking humans who aren't living under a rock.

This is a good post. All large multinationals and many smaller companies with overseas operations will have Business Travel and Personal Accident Insurance. This cover often comes with an optional extension to cover ‘Special risks’, i.e. Kidnap and Ransom insurance. For companies who have large numbers of employees travelling every year, or to destinations that might be considered riskier than an EU country, they will tend to buy a standalone K&R policy.

My advice if you are concerned would be to read any internal business policies relating to international travel and request details of any relevant insurance policies in place, as well as what access/support is available to you should something happen during your trip (most insurers offer a 24/7 contact line for providing support and advice, including access to the services of security/crisis management specialists).

"it's actually purple haired mostly white liberals who are screaming like idiots, attacking people, wanting to know your political views so they can try to cancel you etc."

Well, if that ain't a biased generalization, I know what is. Seriously.

You'll be absolutely fine. ICE isn't interested in tourists who are only there for a few days. Exercise common sense like you would in any foreign destination. Meaning, in this case, just don't protest at a rally or get in ICE's way and you'll be fine. Enjoy all the great things the US has to offer outside its currently-crazy administration. You have the opportunity to travel with someone else paying - grab it!

Just go and ignore the idiots.

Best I can offer.

USA is full of non Trump creeps.

This is like the videos of people going around Warsaw claiming their is no violence there. One person's experience is not a sensible way to assess risk.

You’re less at risk in the southern states tbh. Trump called ICE into the cities who dislike him the most as revenge. Texas for example has some of the lowest ICE enforcement yet highest immigrant numbers. Also if they’re racially profiling (which they are) you will be fine. It’s the Latin Americans who are being targeted. The whole thing is sickening. But basically unless you’re a person of colour working a manual job (street food vendors, Home depot helpers (b&q type house stuff) or a nanny) or you’re running around waving a f*ck trump sign, you’ll be ok.

It must be so stressful so for you and your family. And I imagine it also must feel quite surreal.

It's interesting that some people read my first post about solely being gunned down by ICE (which led to responses like 'if you don't go to a protest you'l be fine'). It's very hard for some people to understand that it's about far more than that.

I have just returned from a family trip to Georgia, no problem whatsoever. Border control were courteous and professional on entry and exit. I didn’t see anyone being harassed at all. OP, I doubt anything bad will happen if you go to the US.

Multiple people where DH works have refused US trips recently. DH would also refuse. YANBU

And just getting the tube and buses in London is not a safe activity any more.

🙄Yet millions do it every day.

Keep reading

Sorry OP 🤣 my context may have been a little too subtle 🤷‍♀️

Thank you. Out of interest, were they white? And was it a general feeling of not wanting to be in a politically unsafe environment?

What colour is your skin, and do you have an English sounding name?

I wouldn't go anywhere near the US right now, and I'm white with a white-sounding name.

No way.

@Wonderbug81yes and yes

Yanbu.

Our global conference was being arranged and when US was floated I said I would not be attending. I was then told that as I am a keynote speaker that wouldn't work and I said I didn't care, I would not be going.

My DH (and a partner in the business) is brown. We will not be setting foot in that place.

DH does travel to some destinations I’d personally think of as less safe eg Nigeria, Pakistan, Egypt and is happy to go there but not to the US. He also has doubts as to whether his SM postings (anti Trump sentiments although nothing extreme) would mean they wouldn’t let him in.

Glad you coud stand your ground. Why should either of you go somewhere you don't feel comfortable.

Do you think ICE can tell the difference between tourists and locals? I wouldn't bet my life on it.

Yes this is it and they have escalated things so fast - a year ago no one was talking about ICE shootings or invading countries, they can take issue with anything at any time! It's the unpredictability that makes me most uncomfortable.

"Locals" blend into the background.

Local clothing
Local fashion quirks
people moving in crowds have a flow
etc.
Non locals including tourists can "pop" out in a group of locals

Non locals can and will pop but after living in an area people tend to blend in. Properly police will be looking for pops

Thats partly why the racial profiling is happening to local non-whites as they fit in (no pop) and dont have to speak etc to be flagged