Travel to the United States has gotten trickier in recent months. Below is a summary of tips recommended by Miller Mayer for international travelers to the United States:

  • Make sure all of your documents are in order and have not expired, and that you do not have a renewal application pending. Consult with an immigration attorney before traveling for advice in specific situations.
  • Consider not entering the United States now if your country is on a proposed “red” category of travel ban countries, which includes Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen.
  • Remember that U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officers have wide leeway at ports of entry to decide who enters and who does not, regardless of visa status, and to conduct electronic searches. They can require travelers to unlock cell phones, reveal laptop passwords, or give officers their digital cameras, for example. U.S. citizens and green card holders can refuse to answer questions (other than those establishing identity and status) and still enter the country (although this could lead to delays or seizure of devices), but those with visas do not have the same rights. The American Civil Liberties Union of Northern Californial advises not giving up your green card voluntarily. Some advise turning off phones and wiping data from all devices before passing through a port of entry.
  • If your device is confiscated, request the name, badge number, and agency of the officer, and ask for a receipt or call the agency to request one.
  • Keep your immigration attorney’s contact information handy, along with contact information for a local friend. If it appears that you might be going into secondary inspection, you can text your friend and ask them to get in touch with your immigration attorney.
  • Keep in mind that in the past, rejected travelers were often put on the next plane out, but more recently, some have been detained for days, weeks, or more.
  • Check your home country’s travel advisories and warnings before traveling. Consider deferring travel to or from the United States if not necessary.
  • If you are referred to secondary inspection, request an interpreter if needed and available. There ordinarily will be a transcript (official record) of the questions and answers also.