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-Editorial
As U.S. border enforcement intensifies, immigration experts and civil rights advocates are raising concerns about increasing threats to both documented and undocumented individuals traveling to and from the United States. Speakers from leading legal and advocacy organizations say the convergence of aggressive immigration policy and expanding surveillance technology is placing non-citizens—and even U.S. citizens—at growing risk.
Zahra Billoo, Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) San Francisco Bay Area, recounted a recent case involving a student visa holder who sought her advice before his wedding overseas. Billoo warned the student that leaving the country could jeopardize his return due to the impending implementation of travel restrictions, commonly referred to as the “Muslim Ban.”
“This young man had to choose between attending his wedding and continuing his education in the U.S.,” said Billoo. “That’s a choice no one should have to make.”
Billoo’s account underscores what she describes as a broader trend of uncertainty for non-citizens at U.S. borders. She emphasized that while U.S. citizens retain an absolute right to reenter the country, visa and green card holders may be subject to additional scrutiny and potential denial.
She advised citizens to disable biometric ID features on their devices and refrain from voluntarily sharing passwords or personal information. For non-citizens, her guidance was more direct: “Minimize non-essential travel.”
Billoo highlighted that even minimal associations—such as having one’s name stored in another traveler’s phone—have triggered investigations. “It’s not just the individual at risk, it’s their entire community,” she warned.
Concerns about government overreach were echoed by immigration attorney Richard Herman, who compared the current climate to historical civil liberties violations, such as the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.
“What’s different now is the reach and power of technology,” said Herman. “AI systems, facial recognition, and large-scale data collection are allowing the government to act more swiftly and less transparently than ever before.”
Herman cited the Trump administration’s revocation of SEVIS records for student visa holders as an example of how data-driven decisions can lead to widespread legal consequences. “There was no clear process to evaluate each case,” he said. “It was a digital sweep.”
He also pointed to a significant rise in electronic device searches at the border, which surged from fewer than 5,000 in 2015 to more than 41,000 in 2023. “Even U.S. citizens are vulnerable,” Herman added. “We’ve seen attorneys detained and their client files accessed—violating the most basic legal protections.”
Economically, the consequences are also mounting. A reported 9% decline in international tourism following increased restrictions has cost the U.S. economy an estimated $64 billion, according to Herman.
Xiao Wang, CEO of Boundless Immigration, raised additional concerns regarding green card holders. He described incidents where lawful permanent residents were asked to sign Form I-407—effectively abandoning their residency—when reentering the U.S. after extended travel.
“These are isolated incidents so far, but they reflect a disturbing pattern,” Wang said. “People are being pressured, sometimes misled, into giving up their status.”
Wang emphasized that only an immigration judge can legally revoke a green card and advised travelers never to sign documents under duress. “Say clearly: ‘I do not wish to abandon my permanent residency,’” he instructed.
Among those most vulnerable are elderly immigrants, particularly those with language barriers, and individuals with pending status renewals or conditional green cards.
In a related development, Madhurima Paturi, a California-based immigration attorney, reported a sharp spike in SEVIS terminations that left thousands of international students in legal limbo. Her law firm received over 300 calls in two weeks from students whose visas were revoked without prior notice.
“Many of these students had no criminal records or legal issues,” Paturi said. “They were simply caught in what appears to be an AI-driven mass termination.”
The sudden revocations prompted lawsuits and temporary restraining orders nationwide. While some SEVIS records are now being reinstated, the consequences for students who have already left the U.S. may be irreversible.
“The damage is done,” Paturi warned. “Many were just weeks from graduation. Others were in the middle of job training programs. Their plans—and their legal status—are now uncertain.”
Advocates uniformly urged travelers to prepare carefully, know their rights, and understand the risks. “This is not about fear,” Wang concluded. “It’s about readiness. Know what to expect, and stand firm.”