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Last year I visited NYC for a weeks holiday with my ESTA (which expires in Aug 2026) as an Iranian born naturalized British Citizen. With the new US administration, I have doubts that this time my travels will be smooth.

A little background: I was a toddler when my family fled Iran for our safety in the late 90’s. We were granted asylum and then British citizenship later on in the UK. I have not visited Iran since fleeing. In fact, I’d get arrested if I ever were to set foot on Iranian soil due to our conflict history with their government. I do not and never have possessed an Iranian passport due to my young age at the time of fleeing.

With the new US administration, do you think that I will get flagged up and rejected at the border even with a valid ESTA? Even though I love NYC, should I just give up my travel plans to be safe?

Relaxed
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1 Answers1

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You're asking for opinions, and no one can be quite sure what will happen, so no answer can be canonical.

But, yes, I do think you run a risk.

That said, I'm surprised that, being born in Iran, you managed to get an ESTA.

For context: I'm born in Iran, but a Dutch citizen, also left when I was a toddler. I was barred from entering the US in the first months of Trump's first presidency. I could not get an ESTA when I wanted to travel to the US under Biden, and had to wait six months for a visa. I do not expect I will be able to travel to the US when Trump's new ban comes into effect.

MastaBaba
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