InterAction

People from racialised and other stigmatised communities have long faced significant challenges when crossing borders, particularly individuals from the Global South. The scrutiny, costs, and barriers imposed by high-income countries have deep historical roots.

Recent news reports highlight troubling developments, including the detention of tourists and green card holders. Any perceived irregularity—whether linked to work, appearance, or documentation—can raise concerns and lead to adverse consequences.

People with intersex variations can face additional obstacles, including due to the impact of presidential decisions on classifying sex. Different ways of determining and classifying sex can have contradictory impacts on people with intersex variations.

If you have changed your sex marker, including to an X marker, this may increase the likelihood of facing unwanted attention.

For those travelling to the US, it’s crucial to dedicate extra time to ensure your documents are accurate and in order. Proceed with caution to minimise potential difficulties. Similar challenges exist, to varying degrees, across many jurisdictions.

We stand in solidarity with everyone affected by the recent actions of the U.S. government, both within its borders and around the world. It’s important to note that these issues are not exclusive to the U.S.

Travel safely!

Equality Australia have written about the issues for transgender and non-binary people – take a look at United States Travel Alert – Equality Australia