Is Staying Home Safer? European Companies Reevaluate Travel Policies Amid U.S. Border Control Issues

U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Newark Liberty International Airport

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Some European companies are becoming cautious about sending their employees to the U.S. This shift arises amid unpredictable policymaking, stricter immigration checks, and an increase in reports of detentions and deportations.

While some businesses in sectors like engineering and accounting indicated that their work trips to the U.S. remained stable, others in more politically sensitive fields expressed concerns for employee welfare. Their responses included issuing new travel guidance—such as advising workers to carry wiped electronic devices or to enter the U.S. via Canada—and encouraging participation in U.S. events or conferences online when possible.

Business travel is a crucial revenue source for the U.S. economy. According to a report from the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), total spending in the sector generated approximately $421 billion and $119 billion in tax revenue in 2022, supporting an estimated 429.9 million business trips and 6 million jobs. Furthermore, business travel is vital for the aviation industry, contributing between 50% and 75% of profit for many airlines.

A survey by GBTA in April of 900 global travel buyers revealed that 29% expected a decline in business travel volume within their companies by 2025 due to U.S. policy on travel and tariffs. The survey also indicated a decrease in overall optimism in the sector.

Any decline in business travel could also impact international tourism, projected to suffer a loss of $12.5 billion in spending this year due to negative perceptions surrounding trade and immigration policy.

Rising Anxiety Over U.S. Travel

Border control and foreign visas have become contentious issues since President Trump took office in January, with reports of tourists facing prolonged detentions. In January, the White House vowed that all foreigners seeking entry into the U.S. would be “vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible.”

Relations between the U.S. administration and the academic community have also soured, particularly after moves to pause international student visa issuance and the aggressive revocation of visas for certain students, alongside the detention of some foreign students on seemingly political grounds.

“We’ve heard from some international travelers expressing concern about visiting the U.S. due to increased visa scrutiny, social media monitoring, and incidents of detention or deportation despite having valid documentation,” said Prashray Kala, a partner at management consultancy Everest Group. “Those with a visible online presence tend to be more cautious, especially given the policy enhancing surveillance.”

This “Catch and Revoke” policy means that anyone holding a U.S. visa can lose their immigration status after even a minor violation of U.S. law.

A European fund manager who frequently travels to the U.S. expressed concerns that immigration authorities at airports might interfere with his travel plans due to shifting political attitudes. “Business travel on an ESTA [visa] is no longer what it used to be,” he remarked.

The head of an international non-government organization based in London shared that they had developed a new travel protocol for the U.S. This policy extends beyond their typical requirements for employee movements and contact details, addressing issues related to physical and information security. This NGO produces investigative reports on topics ranging from climate change to corporate misconduct.

Employees consulted for this piece requested anonymity to discuss internal workplace matters. “From an organizational perspective, we handle such requirements for various places our staff travel to,” the NGO chief executive noted. “However, personally, this is quite revealing—in an unpleasant way—because these are considerations I typically associate with travel to more authoritarian regimes. The notion of applying such an approach to travel to the U.S. is something I wouldn’t have considered until recently.” Examples of precautions include using “burner” phones or laptops exclusively for the trip and preparing employees for scenarios in which they may be aggressively questioned about their travel intentions or published work.

Separately, an academic researcher from a Swiss university remarked that guidance was provided to ideally enter the U.S. via Canada or to attend conferences virtually to avoid visa complications. They noted that while some colleagues still traveled to the U.S. without issues, others faced longer questioning at the border, and some opted not to attend summer academic conferences in the states. Programs for visiting U.S. universities have been particularly affected and even suspended.

Everyone consulted from various industries agreed that the current climate surrounding U.S. travel is filled with uncertainty. “It’s certainly possible to overreact to this situation, investing more time and resources preparing than what the actual risk justifies,” the NGO chief remarked. “There’s an ongoing challenge in distinguishing between empty rhetoric and what may have real implications. This time, however, we might take the rhetoric more seriously.”

— Contributed by Hotnchill Staff