Last year, my wife and I surprised our family with an Eastern Caribbean cruise—something we’ve been looking forward to for a while. Now that our kids are adults, it felt like the right time to come together, relax, and make some new memories.
But as our departure date approaches, excitement has been tempered by concern.
A few months ago, we started reading reports about travelers facing unexpected trouble when re-entering the U.S., especially under tightened border policies during the Trump administration. Reputable outlets even recommended extreme measures for foreign travelers—like leaving your smartphone at home and bringing a cheap “burner” phone instead. Why? Because Customs and Border Protection agents may demand access to your device without a warrant, and if you refuse, you could face delays or worse. And here’s the kicker: this advice wasn’t just for foreign nationals—it increasingly applies to U.S. citizens too.
It turns out that the moment you land and get in line for re-entry, you’re not technically “back” in the U.S. yet. That Customs area is a sort of legal limbo, where constitutional protections don’t fully apply. The agent you meet there has considerable power to determine how smoothly—or not—you get back home.
That’s a strange feeling. We’re planning a dream vacation, but we’re also preparing for the possibility that re-entry might not be as simple as handing over a passport and saying “welcome back.”
Travel should be about joy and discovery. But in today’s climate, even coming home requires a little extra caution.
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