Why European countries are revising US travel guidance

A growing number of countries are warning their citizens about potential problems they could face if they travel to the United States, as the Trump administration continues its sweeping immigration enforcement crackdown.

Germany, the United Kingdom, Denmark and Finland updated their travel advisories for the U.S. in recent days.

Advisories from Germany and the U.K. warn of harsh consequences that travelers could face and come after recent reports that citizens of their countries were detained when attempting to cross the border into the U.S.

Germany’s notice stresses that visa entry isn't guaranteed and U.S. border control has the final say, while the updated advisory to British passport-holders stresses that they “should comply with all entry, visa and other conditions of entry.”

Finland and Denmark, meanwhile, directed their warnings to transgender and nonbinary travelers, whose passports may be questioned.

“If your passport has the gender designation X or you have changed gender, it is recommended to contact the U.S. embassy prior to travel for guidance on how to proceed,” the Danish foreign ministry's advisory reads.

None of the advisories explicitly mention President Trump by name, but they come two months after his White House return and appear to highlight policy changes he has implemented. Trump heavily campaigned in 2024 on making it harder to cross the border and revoking policies that benefit people who are transgender.

Trump signed an executive order after his inauguration stating that the federal government recognizes only two sexes — male and female. The State Department, citing that order, implemented a new policy that bars transgender and nonbinary people from obtaining passports with designations that match their gender identities. The policy, which reverses action taken by the Biden administration in 2021, is being challenged in court.

Meanwhile, tight visa restrictions have prompted issues for some Europeans traveling to the U.S.

The U.K. foreign office confirmed earlier this month that it was assisting a British national detained at the border after reports circulated that the 27-year-old tourist was allegedly held for two weeks when she attempted to return to the U.S. after she faced visa issues at the Canadian border.

Two Germans residing in the U.S. were reportedly detained over visa concerns after attempting to cross the border following trips to Mexico. A U.S. resident from Germany reportedly faced an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement interrogation after a trip to visit his family in Luxembourg.

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