Tips for travellers entering the US now: Check your visa, turn off phone

Even legal immigrants being caught up in Trump administration's 'enhanced vetting'

- Claire Fahy

At airports and land borders across the US, tourists and other visitors have reported being caught up in the Trump administration's campaign of "enhanced vetting".

Even legal immigrants, such as green card holders, and naturalised citizens have been pulled aside for additional questioning and searches. This has prompted questions about best practices for crossing into the US, travellers' rights at the borders, and the legality of device and luggage searches.

Here are some things to know before you visit or return to the US, as a tourist, legal resident or citizen.

According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), US border officials have "wide-ranging discretion" to deny entry.

That decision can be made based on suspicion that the person is entering the country for a purpose other than what their visa or Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (Esta) says. For example, they have a tourist visa, but it seems like they may be planning to work.

"We've seen people detained just for saying they're 'Open to Work' on LinkedIn," said Mr Michael Wildes, a New Jersey-based immigration lawyer who handled First Lady Melania Trump's immigration to the US. "That serves as proof that they are not just going to Disneyland or a wedding."