Trump’s Racist Policies Are Changing Travel. Here's How It Affects You
President Trump kicked off the 2026 by banning a historically high number of countries from entering the US, making travel and transit through the US harder - and more riskier - than ever.
The President of the United States has started the year by flexing his power with astonishing heartlessness, shirking off accusations regarding his clear disregard for both international legal protocol and established human rights margins.
Whether it be the ongoing onslaught of ICE murdering US citizens on home soil, or US troops forcefully commandeering power internationally, 2026 has already marked a stark shift in terms of global affairs.
For many from marginalised groups, travel has become a daunting prospect. Airports, instead of being places of joyful moments of reuniting with loved ones, or gateway to cultural discoveries, become places of detention, fear and human rights violations at the hands of racist borders patrol policy.
“We’re nearly one year into the second Trump administration and we’ve seen unprecedented and escalating anti-refugee and anti-immigrant policies,” says Uzra Zeya, CEO & President of the US-based organisation, Human Rights First.
On January 1 2026, Trump administration introduced a complete travel ban on a total of 39 countries including Afghanistan, Mali, Syria, including individuals with travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority, while countries including Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, Senegal and Venezuela, are on the partially restricted list, which limits the types of visas citizens are eligible for to enter the country.
“The most sweeping and frankly racist, outrageous travel ban of recent times."
“This is the most sweeping and frankly racist and outrageous travel ban in my lifetime. 75% of the travel ban countries are African or Black majority, 41% are Muslim majority,” continues Uzra. “We see a correlation between this and the xenophobic, inherent racism.”
Following the travel ban announcements, the Trump administration announced that visa processing will be halted for 75 countries, predominantly in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Zeya notes a few exceptions in the latter - El Salvador and Honduras, both close supporters of the Trump administration.
“It’s hard not to see political motivations, it fits a larger pattern of disproportionate impact on Black and brown individuals,” underscores Uzra. “This is something for me as a daughter of immigrants, it’s personal. And for millions of immigrant origin.”
The shifts in entry policies to the US will have a knock-on effect for anyone wanting to enter the US, even temporarily, with ICE treating holidaymakers and those within the motivations and durations for short stays - will valid ESTAs - as suspects.
"In 2026, travel isn’t about going to one place or another. It’s about power. Who is able to travel? White people born in certain countries"
“In 2026, travel isn’t about going to one place or another. It’s about power. Who is able to travel? Based on the bans that have been imposed, it’s about white people born in certain countries able to travel, for everyone else there is a higher risk of travelling,” says Paula Avila-Guillen, human rights lawyer and Executive Director of the Women's Equality Center. “That puts us in a situation where travel isn’t a luxury where you do something for fun. It is something that is prohibited from you even if you have the resources to do it because of who you are.”
The hostilities in place from Trump’s travel ban will affect not only those seeking to enter the US - but the millions who must enter through major airports for connecting flights onwards - which requires going through immigration and passport control. While non-US citizens will require an ESTA, you can still be denied entry even if you have all your documents approved.
“The fear is real. Even as a US citizen I avoid certain airports,” says Paula, who is Colombian. She has experienced set-backs at immigration - even as a naturalised citizen, even leaving the country. “It is about intimidation, they want to create a sensation of fear and control. If you are afraid, that is one of the most important tactics for authoritarian regimes to be successful.”
"They want to create a sensation of fear and control. If you are afraid, that is one of the most important tactics for authoritarian regimes to be successful."
This year’s World Cup, hosted in North America, has brought Trump’s travel policies into sharp focus - with Iran and Haiti teams and fans having to navigate outright travel bans into the US, Ivory Coast and Senegal with partial bans, and warnings against Colombia and co-hosts, Mexico.
“It’s going to be a test of if the US is a safe place for people to come or not, just as tourists. I’m afraid, as millions will travel,” reflects Paula. “What will be the role of ICE? Will they be close to stadiums, at the airports? Will they harass people because of how they look? It is sad, as sport is as a uniter of people.”
Both Paula and Uzra stress that freedom of movement is a human right. With the hostile narratives of the White House reinforcing hatred and division, the security of foreigners in the US - especially large crowds as in the case of the World Cup - could be threatened.
“What will happen in states that might be hostile towards Latinos? You have this rhetoric that Latinos and immigrants create crime and we are the reason why many people don't have jobs,” says Paula. “So if we go to an event, will we feel safe? Will we feel welcome?”
Travel isn’t just about holidays - for many, it is to seek safety, find refuge, reconnect with loved ones or just coming home. For those travelling to or through the US, we have compiled a set of recommendations to stay safe during your journeys.
Travelling To / Through the US? Follow These Recommendations
1
Avoid Certain Airports
“There are general recommendations as human rights advocates we are giving people travelling - avoid certain states including Florida and Texas. We try to recommend places where there have been less incidents reported, like New York, maybe LA. There’s no guarantees but we know they are more friendly towards immigrants than other states.” - Paula
2
Delete Social Media From Your Phone
“They have the right to search your phone, they can use that as an excuse to deny you entry. Delete social media apps and access email, anything that can have private information or information that shows your political views” - Paula
3
Print Your Documents
“The first thing they may ask you is ‘where are you going to stay’, and the first thing we do is show our phone. So I recommend everyone to print their papers, to avoid showing your phone to an officer, and say ‘look this is where I’m staying, how long I’m coming’ - information that is important to have to avoid issues.” - Paula
4
“We’ve developed a free secure app called ReadyNow that allows the user to develop an emergency response plan in the event they are detained by ICE. I know that's a scary proposition - nobody certainly wants to think about that on their vacation and nor should that happen if you're abiding by the law. This app has over 17,000 users and we launched it last August. It gives you the ability in one click to notify your loved ones, employer, and connect with legal help in the event of an ICE encounter. It’s also available in nine different languages for a diverse user base” - Uzra
“The visa is not a right to entry. If [immigration officers] see you are not allowed to enter, they don’t even have to have a real reason, they will remove you from the passport queue to a special room where they will do paperwork and eventually send you back to your country. Technically they should send you back, but in reality, if you want to be deported quickly, buy your own ticket, otherwise they can make you wait for a long time until there is a plane available. That space between the passport and immigration office is the only opportunity to send a message to anyone." - Paula
5
If You Get Detained: Know Your Rights - But Be Careful
“Sure, you should know your rights but only you know at which moment you feel safe exercising them. You have the right to refuse. If I’m by myself, I would refuse to talk, I’d ask for a warrant, ask questions as to why they are detaining me, I would refuse entry to my car, I would record every single interaction. I would refuse to show documents and not authorise them to search me without a warrant, and use every right in the playbook. If I was with my 5 year old son, I would likely be corporate as I would be afraid they would harm me in front of my son or harm him. That’s the reality of what it is, that is the real answer.” - Paula
6
Find Your Safe Places and People
“Do not allow President Trump to speak for over 330 million Americans. We have thriving diverse communities, organisations, networks all over the country. I wouldn’t let the spectre of this heavy-handed enforcement campaign stand in the way of your own desire to connect with Americans, visit our country and to share your own culture and knowledge. This people to people dynamic is such an important part of societal progress and growth. We can’t let Trump win by keeping visitors from coming to our country who have every right to do so.” - Uzra
7
Check Official Travel Guidance
“Depending on your passport, look at what your own government is advising.” - Uzra