Experiencing Travel in the United States As Described by Residents and Visitors

Experiencing Travel in the United States As Described by Residents and Visitors

In the first quarter of 2025, during Donald Trump's second term as the American president, Indian tourists and Indian-Americans have faced increased travel challenges in the US.

Recent policy changes have tightened visa interview requirements for Indians, including business travelers, students, and skilled workers. These changes have eliminated previous interview waivers for certain age groups and visa categories, increasing logistical burdens and potentially delaying travel plans significantly.

Foreign tourists, including Indians, are also encountering a more scrutinized and uncertain environment in US immigration processes. Reports suggest that green card holders, citizens, and tourists are being detained or questioned more frequently, which has contributed to a decline in international travel to the US. Preliminary figures show a 11.6% decrease in visits from overseas to the US compared to the same month in the previous year.

Another challenge for foreign tourists is the higher entry fees at US national parks. An executive order signed by President Trump aims to raise these fees for international visitors while keeping them low for Americans. This move is intended to fund upgrades and improve infrastructure in the parks, but it increases the travel costs for foreign tourists.

Sagar Agarwal, an Indian tourist who recently travelled to the US with his American citizen spouse, found the country to be "very open" and "welcoming." Agarwal advises Indian tourists to plan ahead for flights and accommodations, keep documents handy and organized, and slow down to take it all in.

Malvika Sheth, based in Los Angeles, finds the present political climate more complicated and has become more cautious in certain settings. Despite this, Sheth recommends visiting New York for work and Fashion Week, and is dying to visit Oregon for its nature and Texas for its food and music scene. She also recommends visiting Boston for its energy, unique mix of warmth, intellect, and community, and lowkey amazing Asian food scene.

Shriya Boppana, a US citizen, recommends visiting Washington D.C., Las Vegas, Miami, Anaheim, and Durham. However, Boppana has expressed concern about the rapid growth of hate among youth, having experienced hate from another immigrant.

Café Musings in Denton, Texas is a place for travelers to reflect on finding home in the USA. Portland, San Francisco, and San Jose are highlighted as favorite destinations in the US for their unique offerings.

For the January-March 2025 period, 7.1 million visitors entered the US from overseas, 3.3% fewer than during the first three months of 2024. The figures did not include arrivals from Canada or land crossings from Mexico.

[1] Policy Changes Affecting Indian Visa Applicants [2] Decrease in International Travel to the US [3] Impact of Tightened Visa Policies on Indian Travelers [4] Higher Fees for Foreign Visitors at US National Parks

1. The tightened visa policies under Donald Trump's administration during his second term in 2025 have made it difficult for Indian tourists and Indian-Americans to travel, as increased logistical burdens and potentially delayed travel plans are resulting from stricter interview requirements and the elimination of previous interview waivers for certain age groups and visa categories.
2. The uncertain environment in US immigration processes and the higher entry fees at US national parks are causing a decline in international travel to the US, especially from India, as foreign tourists are being more scrutinized and are experiencing increased travel costs.

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