The continued presence of ICE agents in US airports may not be helping the US’s image issues either. Originally deployed to assist with TSA shortages, the US Transportation Secretary said the agents will remain “as long as needed”. Since ICE agents aren’t trained for aviation security, some travelers are wary.
Sandra Awodele, who was born in Nigeria but is a naturalised US citizen, said she has been on increased alert with the new ICE presence.
“With ICE detaining people who may or may not be citizens and apologizing later if they’re wrong, it has made me change my travel plans a few times if the airport I am arriving [at] has heavy ICE presence,” she said. “I have never had an issue, but now I fear I might because of procedures and protocols I may not be aware of. That is scary.”
The deployment of ICE agents at airports is just one of a series of rapidly shifting policies confusing some international travelers. A Trump administration proposal floated in December 2025 would require visitors from 42 visa-free countries (including the UK and most of Europe) to provide five years’ worth of social media history in order to enter the country. The proposal has not yet been implemented, but some travelers believe it already has.
A wave of anti-US sentiment caused by some of Trump’s policies is also hurting US travel
