Overview

• Executive orders from President Trump have intensified border vetting, leading to stricter entry requirements for foreign nationals.
• High-profile incidents, such as the detention and deportation of two German teenagers in Hawaii, have drawn global attention to U.S. border practices.
• March 2025 saw a 12% year-over-year drop in international arrivals, with Australian visitors declining 8%, the sharpest fall since the pandemic.
• Social media backlash and warnings from the Australian Government's SmartTraveller site have prompted widespread trip cancellations by Australians.
• The downturn in tourism, a crucial U.S. export sector, threatens significant economic repercussions as travelers seek alternative destinations.