Dr. Leahcim Semaj
Psychologist | Author | Speaker | Workshops | Management Consultant | Spiritual Guide | Social Philosopher
Should the World Declare a Travel Advisory Against Traveling to the USA?
When most people think of travel advisories, they imagine warnings against visiting conflict zones or nations with political instability, outbreaks of disease, or high levels of violent crime. But in recent years, there is a growing conversation about whether the world should consider issuing travel advisories for visitors planning to travel to the United States of America.
At first glance, this might seem unthinkable — the USA has long been viewed as a safe, desirable destination with world-class attractions, thriving business opportunities, and cultural diversity. But a closer look reveals emerging and persistent threats that should concern every visitor and every nation. Many countries have begun notifying their citizens.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/news/2025/03/21/uk-germany-advisory-us/82590093007/
https://www.npr.org/2025/03/22/nx-s1-5336792/european-countries-canada-travel-warnings-us
1. Gun Violence: An Ever-Present Threat
No other developed nation faces gun violence on the scale seen in the United States. With more guns than people and over 600 mass shootings in 2023 alone, the possibility of being caught in random violence is very real. Schools, shopping malls, movie theaters, and places of worship — spaces that should be safe — have all become potential sites of mass tragedy. Visitors from countries with strict gun laws may find the lack of regulation and the resulting danger unfathomable.
Mass Shootings in the USA (2018–2023):
The number of mass shootings has climbed from 336 in 2018 to over 650 annually in the last three years, showing a disturbing trend of persistent gun violence.
2. Hate Crimes and Racially Motivated Attacks
There has been a marked rise in hate crimes against Asians, African immigrants, Jews, Muslims, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Reports of travelers and foreign nationals being verbally harassed or physically assaulted based on their appearance, language, or religion are becoming alarmingly common. Non-citizens and tourists, who may not be familiar with local dynamics or safe zones, can easily fall victim.
Reported Hate Crimes (2018–2022):
According to FBI data, reported hate crimes have increased from 7,160 in 2018 to over 10,000 in 2022, highlighting growing risks for minorities and foreigners.
3. Police Violence and Legal Insecurity for Foreign Nationals
The phrase “comply or die” has come to characterize interactions between law enforcement and the public in some parts of the U.S. Numerous incidents have shown that even minor misunderstandings can escalate into deadly encounters — and foreign visitors are not exempt. Stories of visitors being detained, questioned aggressively, or mishandled at borders and airports have made global headlines. Additionally, visa confusion or minor administrative errors can result in detention or deportation.
4. Political Unrest and Domestic Terrorism
The January 6th Capitol insurrection and continued extremist threats highlight growing political instability. Travel advisories are often issued for countries with internal conflict — yet the USA now experiences frequent domestic terrorism threats from white nationalist groups and other extremist factions. Foreign visitors could easily find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time.
5. Healthcare and Medical Costs
Should a traveler get injured or fall ill in the United States, they may face staggering medical costs. The absence of universal healthcare and extremely high hospital fees make even minor medical treatment a financial burden. Travel insurance is essential — but even then, coverage disputes and upfront costs can create stress and uncertainty for visitors.
Average Cost of Emergency Room Visits (2018–2023):
Medical costs are a hidden threat, with the average ER visit costing nearly $1,700 in 2023 — a heavy financial burden for any uninsured or underinsured visitor.
6. Surveillance, Data Collection, and Privacy Concerns
Visitors to the United States are subject to extensive surveillance and data collection. At ports of entry, devices may be searched without warrants, and online activity may be scrutinized. For visitors from countries with strong data privacy laws, this can feel like a violation of rights and personal security.
7. Immigration Raids and Detention Centers
The aggressive posture of U.S. immigration enforcement has led to random raids and detention of people suspected of violating immigration rules. Non-citizens can be detained for prolonged periods without timely access to legal representation, under conditions that human rights organizations have condemned.
Time for a Global Conversation?
Several countries have already issued travel advisories warning their citizens about gun violence and racial tensions in the U.S. These include Canada, New Zealand, and Uruguay, among others. Should the international community take this further and collectively issue broader travel advisories? Should the United Nations or other global bodies call for comprehensive reviews of visitor safety in the United States?
Conclusion
For decades, the USA was viewed as a beacon of opportunity and security. But as threats multiply and safeguards diminish, the world must ask serious questions. At a minimum, travelers should be thoroughly briefed and well-prepared before visiting. At the international level, dialogue must begin about holding all nations — including powerful ones — to the same standards of visitor safety.
In this uncertain climate, the question is no longer “Should we?” but “Why haven’t we yet?”
A Note to My Readers
I write not to convince or convert, but simply to share insights gained from years of observation, study, and experience. What I offer here are perspectives — reflections meant to inspire thought, not debates.
If my words resonate with you, I welcome that. If they do not, I invite you to simply take what serves you and leave the rest.
My consultation sessions are quite different. They are sacred spaces where I partner with individuals who are seeking clarity, transformation, and growth in their own lives. If that is what you desire, I would be honored to assist you.
Until then, may you continue your journey with curiosity and grace.
Dr. Leahcim Semaj
Psychologist | Author | Speaker | Workshops | Management Consultant | Spiritual Guide | Social Philosopher
You would think that with the Cuban medical program in the news, where the government takes a significant cut from the “wages” they earn abroad, we would’ve learnt that socialism doesn’t eliminate scarcity, it just rations the scarce resources differently. So whether its a price system or long lines, scarce resources have to be rationed. Why would you think universal health care can magically make reality disappear? Has it done so in the UK or Canada?
The ideal for every nation should be universal education and health care along with guaranteed livable wage. The question is how soon to get there.
I thought the ideal was individual freedom? Are you saying a totalitarian government would be ideal as long as it gives us nice things?
The ideal life is living in a state the provides ‘safety nets’ for health, education and a safe environment, but allows for the tools and freedoms for us to be the best that we can be.
The problem with your ideal social democratic state is that it is failing in EU and other developed countries as we speak. They haven’t been able to prevent the safety net from becoming a hammock as the classical liberals warned. The reality is weak economic growth and a demographic crisis.
I’ll keep working towards my ideal. I would love to hear what your look like.
But how does your ideal state get rid of the reality of scarcity though? You never explained that part.
Quantum physics shows us the ‘reality’ is a matter of perspective, ‘scarcity’.
“The earth has enough to satisfy us all but the behaviour of the greedy prevents us helping the needy” — speaks to the idea that the planet provides abundant resources, more than enough to meet everyone’s basic needs.
However, the problem arises from greed — the tendency of some individuals or groups to hoard, over-consume, or monopolize resources beyond what they need. This behavior creates artificial scarcity, inequality, and barriers that stop resources from reaching those who are truly in need.
In other words:
The issue isn’t lack of supply, but rather selfishness, hoarding, and exploitation.
The greedy accumulate excess, while the needy are left struggling.
If resources were shared with fairness and responsibility, poverty and suffering could be greatly reduced or even eliminated.
This statement is a call for greater empathy, equity, and social responsibility — highlighting that human behavior, not nature, is the root of scarcity and injustice.
Agreed. Productivity is artificially reduced in a Hobbesian world. But if youre going to argue that a government monopoly is needed in healthcare because prices are uniquely high because of scarcity, how would a monopoly (made up of the same flawed humans as in the private sector) change the reality of scarcity you say is in the private market?
I don’t support monopolies. We need checks and balances. The power of dialectics.