There have been recent media reports regarding difficulties experienced by some travellers when attempting to enter the USA, including people being detained or refused entry allegedly due to having messages critical of President Trump on their electronic devices. We are aware however that in at least some of the recent, high-profile cases there may also be other reasons for the refusal of entry or detention of visitors. It is extremely difficult at this stage to confirm how many such cases were routine enforcement actions that would have also been carried out under the Biden administration.
The FCDO has not specifically issued advice on this matter, but the Entry Requirements section of their website has been changed from “The authorities in the U.S. set and enforce entry rules” to “You should comply with all entry, visa and other conditions of entry. The authorities in the U.S. set and enforce entry rules strictly. You may be liable to arrest or detention if you break the rules”
US border officials have carried out searches of traveller’s electronic devices and some travellers have deleted their social media or other apps prior to entering the country if the traveller has expressed opinions that may be considered critical of the current US administration.
If a traveller is refused entry to the USA and as long as they can show they have all the required documentation and were turned away for political reasons (brought in/invoked after booking) UMAL may consider a claim for reasonable rearrangement costs. Political Evacuation cover may also respond if this is deemed to be a situation “where the Person Covered is expelled or declared persona non-grata by the country”. We would not currently consider a pre-emptive cancellation claim however, as this would be classed as disinclination to travel.
If a claim needs to be made under the UMAL travel cover, please ensure all receipts for additional expenditure are retained. Cancellation/Curtailment/Rearrangement claim forms can be found on the UMAL website – Travel Claims Forms
Claims can be sent to Claims@umal.co.uk
