How will the executive orders affect your next trip?
The new presidential administration issued a flurry of new executive orders this week. Will they affect travel?
This isn’t a political newsletter, but sometimes politics veers into our lane, and so we haveto talk about it. This is one of those times.
At last count, the president had issued 32 executive orders, a new record for his first week in office.
How will that affect travel? And which of the orders will affect you the most?
Let’s find out.
Which executive orders will affect travel?
Protecting the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats — The White House imposed stricter vetting procedures for foreign visitors to the U.S. The measure, which takes effect immediately, enhances screening protocols for visa applicants and refugees and grants greater authority to federal agencies to deny entry to anyone deemed a potential risk to public safety or national security.
How it will affect you: If you’re not a U.S. citizen and you’re planning to visit, this could slow you down — or stop you.
Restoring Names that Honor American Greatness — The president is restoring the names of various national monuments, landmarks, and institutions to their original designations, which were changed in recent years to reflect a more inclusive and diverse American history. That includes renaming Alaska’s Mt. Denali to Mt. McKinley and designating the Gulf of Mexico the Gulf of America.
How it will affect you: If you’re headed to Alaska or the Gulf Coast, there may be moments of confusion. Other geographic names could change, so stay tuned.
Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program — The White House is restructuring its refugee admissions program, prioritizing the resettlement of refugees who have been persecuted for their religious beliefs or who have skills that align with the country's economic interests. The revised program introduces stricter vetting procedures and sets new criteria for refugee eligibility.
How it will affect you: Many observers believe this is the precursor to another Muslim travel ban. If predominantly Muslim countries reciprocate, it could affect your ability to travel to the Middle East.
And that brings us to this week’s big question.
Which one of these will affect you the most?
Let’s put it to a vote.
And a few follow-up questions:
Why did you vote for the executive order? And what do you plan to do about it, when it comes to your travel planning? (Still taking that vacation on the Gulf of America?)
Overall, what’s your opinion of the flurry of executive actions? Will they benefit travelers over the long term — or harm them?
What other executive orders would you like to see?
My take: These executive actions are unlikely to affect my travels. But I have a feeling there’s more ahead.
Originally published in Elliott Confidential
Christopher Elliott
Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers consumers to solve their problems and helps those who can't. He's the author of numerous books on consumer advocacy and writes three nationally syndicated columns. He also publishes the Elliott Report, a news site for consumers, and Elliott Confidential, a critically acclaimed newsletter about customer service. If you have a consumer problem you can't solve, contact him directly through his advocacy website. You can also follow him on X, Facebook, and LinkedIn, or sign up for his daily newsletter.