Impact of ICE Enforcement on U.S. Travel in 2025: A Comprehensive Guide
The United States, a top global travel destination, is experiencing a significant downturn in international tourism in 2025. According to the U.S. Travel Association, international visits dropped by approximately 14% in March 2025 compared to the previous year. This decline, costing the economy an estimated $12.5 billion in visitor spending, is attributed to multiple factors, including stringent immigration enforcement by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This article delves into how ICE’s actions affect travel journeys to and from the U.S., the reasons behind the tourism decline, and practical advice for travelers to navigate these challenges.
Understanding ICE and Its Role
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a federal agency under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) tasked with enforcing immigration laws within the U.S. Unlike Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which oversees border entry and exit points, ICE focuses on interior enforcement, including:
Apprehending and detaining individuals suspected of immigration violations.
Managing immigration detention centers.
Conducting deportations and investigating immigration-related crimes.
ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) units handle these tasks, with ERO focusing on deportations and HSI addressing customs and immigration crimes. While CBP handles initial border inspections, ICE’s actions can impact travelers after entry or during domestic travel, creating both direct and indirect effects on travel experiences.
How ICE Enforcement Impacts Your Travel Journey
ICE’s enforcement activities can create significant hurdles for travelers, particularly those entering or leaving the U.S. or traveling domestically. Below are the primary ways ICE may affect your journey:
1. Detentions at Borders or Within the U.S.
ICE has been involved in high-profile detentions of tourists and visitors, often due to minor paperwork issues or suspected visa violations. For instance:
In April 2025, an Australian MMA coach was detained for 24 hours after a paperwork issue at a U.S. border, describing the experience as being treated “like the worst criminal.”
A British tourist, Rebecca Burke, was detained and shackled while attempting to leave the U.S. for Canada, branded an “illegal alien” by ICE despite her valid travel documents.
These incidents, reported widely in the media, highlight the risk of unexpected detentions, even for travelers with legal documentation. Such experiences can disrupt travel plans, leading to missed flights, financial losses, or emotional distress.
2. Immigration Checks at Transportation Hubs
Within 100 miles of U.S. land and coastal borders—a zone encompassing two-thirds of the U.S. population—ICE and CBP may conduct immigration checks on buses, trains, and other transportation hubs. These checks involve:
Questioning passengers about their immigration status.
Requesting documentation, such as passports or visas.
Potential detention for those unable to prove legal status.
For example, Greyhound buses and Amtrak trains in states like Texas, Arizona, and California have seen frequent ICE inspections, particularly at stations or checkpoints near the border. Travelers, especially those with non-citizen status, may face delays or detentions during these checks, impacting their travel schedules.
3. Creating a Climate of Fear
The high visibility of ICE’s enforcement actions has created a perception that the U.S. is less welcoming to international visitors. Media reports of detentions, such as those of European and Canadian tourists, have fueled anxiety among potential travelers. This fear is particularly strong among:
Visitors from countries targeted by stricter policies.
Individuals with complex immigration histories or visa concerns.
Non-citizens residing in the U.S., such as green card holders, who worry about re-entry issues after international travel [13].
This chilling effect has led many to choose alternative destinations, contributing to the overall decline in U.S. tourism.
Impact of ICE Enforcement on U.S. Travel in 2025: A Comprehensive Guide
The Decline in U.S. Tourism: Statistics and Causes
The decline in international tourism to the U.S. in 2025 is well-documented, with significant economic repercussions. Key statistics include:
A 14% drop in international visits in March 2025 compared to March 2024.
A projected $12.5 billion loss in international visitor spending, down from $181 billion in 2024 to under $169 billion in 2025.
Specific market declines:
Canada: 26% drop in overnight land trips and 14% in air travel.
Western Europe: 17% decline in visits.
Asia: 25% below 2019 levels.
South America: 10% decrease.
Reasons for the Decline
Several factors contribute to this downturn, with ICE enforcement playing a significant role:
Stricter Immigration Policies: The Trump administration’s focus on border security and immigration enforcement, including ICE’s high-profile detentions, has created “sentiment-headwinds” among travelers. Reports of tourists being detained for minor issues have amplified these concerns.
Economic Factors: A strong U.S. dollar makes travel to the U.S. more expensive for foreign visitors, reducing its appeal compared to other destinations.
Global Perceptions: Negative media coverage of ICE actions, such as videos of detentions and deportations, has led to perceptions of the U.S. as an unwelcoming destination. This has particularly affected key markets like Canada, the UK, and Germany, with declines of 20–33% in bookings.
The World Travel & Tourism Council notes that the U.S. is the only country among 184 economies analyzed to see a decline in international visitor spending in 2025, highlighting the unique impact of these policies.
Practical Advice for Travelers
To minimize the risks associated with ICE enforcement, travelers should take the following steps:
1. Ensure Proper Documentation
Verify that your passport, visa, and any required travel documents are valid and comply with U.S. regulations.
For B1/B2 visa holders, note that CBP officers determine your length of stay (typically up to six months), and extensions require USCIS approval.
Carry copies of your documents and keep digital backups accessible.
2. Know Your Rights
During encounters with ICE or CBP, you have the right to remain silent and to ask, “Am I free to leave?."
If detained, request a lawyer immediately and avoid signing documents without legal counsel.
Non-citizens should carry proof of legal status, such as a green card or work permit, at all times.
3. Plan for Domestic Travel In Advance
Be cautious when traveling by bus or train within 100 miles of the border, as ICE checks are more common in these areas.
Consider safer routes through states with less collaboration between local police and ICE, such as New York or Illinois.
4. Stay Informed
Monitor travel advisories from your home country and U.S. government sources.
Consult an immigration attorney if you have a history of visa issues or overstays, as these could trigger ICE scrutiny.
Check ICE’s Online Detainee Locator System if you need to locate someone detained.
5. Prepare for Re-Entry
Non-citizen U.S. residents traveling abroad should ensure their status is clear to avoid re-entry issues. ICE may flag individuals with prior violations, even if cleared by CBP initially.
The aggressive enforcement actions of ICE in 2025 have significantly impacted international travel to and from the United States, contributing to a 14% drop in visitor numbers and a projected $12.5 billion loss in tourism revenue. Detentions, transportation checks, and a climate of fear have deterred travelers, particularly from Europe and Canada, from choosing the U.S. as a destination.
By ensuring proper documentation, understanding your rights, and staying informed, you can navigate these challenges and enjoy a smoother travel experience. The U.S. remains a vibrant destination, but preparation is key in this era of heightened enforcement.
Sources:
Tourists detained by ICE say they were treated like 'the worst criminal'
[I was a British tourist trying to leave America. Then I was detained, shackled and sent to an immigration detention centre](https://www.theguardian.comទ
Immigration Agents on Buses and Trains | ACLU of Southern California
U.S. Travel Snapshot April 2025 | U.S. Travel Association
Travel spending from overseas tourists may fall $8.5 billion in 2025
U.S. detention of European and Canadian tourists creates fear over traveling to America | PBS News
Inbound Travel to US in Steep Decline | Oxford Economics
Know Your Rights: If You Encounter ICE | National Immigrant Justice Center
Who We Are | ICE
Difference between ICE and CBP | Slate
100 Mile Border Zone | ACLU
What you need to know to travel by train or bus in the United States if you are undocumented
What Do DHS, USCIS, CBP, and ICE Actually Do?
US Tourism Industry Faces Historic Collapse as ICE Detentions Deter Foreign Visitors
US Tourism Statistics - How Many Tourists Visit? (2025)
Online Detainee Locator System