The tightening of immigration policies is raising alarm among travelers, legal residents, and even U.S. citizens. Legal experts are warning about the use of technology, digital surveillance, and undue pressure at entry points.
Summer usually means vacations, reunions, and international flights. But with the return of the Trump administration and its well-known hardline stance on immigration, many people — including American citizens — are now thinking twice before traveling. In this context, legal experts came together to address a fundamental question: What are our rights when traveling to or within the United States?
During the panel organized by American Community Media, “Who Dares to Travel Now? Know Your Rights at the Airport and the Border” immigration law specialists addressed the most urgent concerns.
What are your rights at the airport or the border?
Zahra Billoo made one key point clear: if you are a U.S. citizen, no one can stop you from entering the country. “You have the right to return to the United States. No matter what happens, that right is guaranteed,” she said.
For those with visas or green cards, the situation is more delicate. “If you are not a citizen, your reentry is not guaranteed. Border authorities can make discretionary decisions that may seriously affect your immigration status,” Billoo explained.
Regarding border inspections, the attorney stressed the importance of not handing over passwords to mobile devices and of disabling biometric identification features before traveling. “Giving access to your phone means sacrificing your privacy — and also that of everyone you communicate with,” she warned.
Digital surveillance and technology at customs
Richard Herman, founder of the Herman Legal Group, painted a troubling picture: “This is an unprecedented time in U.S. immigration history. What used to be airports are now zones of intensive surveillance.”
According to Herman, the use of facial recognition, artificial intelligence, and electronic device searches has become routine. Even U.S. citizen attorneys have been detained and forced to hand over their phones — violating attorney-client confidentiality.
Green cards at risk: coercion at the border
Xiao Wang, CEO of Boundless Immigration, warned of a growing practice: pressuring lawful permanent residents to sign Form I-407, voluntarily giving up their green cards.
“This is a dangerous combination of fear, misinformation, and coercion. Many people are handed this form with no explanation of its consequences, and end up signing away their legal status without even realizing it,” Wang said.
Those most at risk include individuals who have been outside the country for more than six months, as well as those with conditional green cards or complex immigration histories. “Never sign anything without a lawyer present,” he warned.
Is it safe to travel within the U.S. if you’re not a citizen?
Regarding domestic travel — to places like Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or between states — Billoo acknowledged that many immigrant rights groups advise against such trips. “This administration’s goal is for us to live in fear, to feel that even traveling within the country is a constant threat,” she explained.
In light of this climate of intimidation, her recommendation is clear: minimize non-essential travel, especially if you are not a U.S. citizen and have any past issue that could trigger additional scrutiny.
Activism, surveillance, and silencing
The panelists also discussed how political expression — such as pro-Palestinian activism — can become a risk factor. “There are pro-Israel groups that track posts, comments, and photos related to Palestine and send them to employers or universities in an effort to silence voices under the pretext of antisemitism,” Billoo revealed.
The warning is clear: political stances can influence how one is treated at the border.
Final message: do not give up your rights
“No matter your immigration status, you always have the right to remain silent. And if you’re a citizen, you always have the right to come back,” emphasized Zahra Billoo. “We should be proud to assert our rights — especially in times when they are under attack.”