United States | News & Politics

Forgetting the fact that the US is now run by a fascist regime who is actively targeting minorities and the neurodiverse, even my own government's general advice basically implies that it's not a good idea to travel to the US (our travel advisory has added warnings three times so far this year, despite leaving the overall risk level at Level 1/Green). The list of caveats is so long that I'd need to have an exceptionally good reason for travelling there now. Here's just a sampling of the warnings from the Overview section (yes, there's a much bigger detailed list of advice):

Violent crime is more common in the United States than in Australia. Gun crime is also prevalent. If you live in the United States, learn and practice active shooter drills. Medical costs in the United States are extremely high. You may need to pay up-front for medical assistance. Ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance. Some prescription and over-the-counter medications readily available in Australia are illegal in the United States. Some states have laws restricting access to abortion and other reproductive health care services. Research local laws and consult your doctor before making any decisions about your medical care. There's no federal law that explicitly protects LGBTQIA+ people from discrimination. Some US states and localities have laws that may affect LGBTQIA+ travellers. An approved ESTA or valid visa doesn’t guarantee entry to the United States. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the port of entry will determine your eligibility. If CBP denies your entry, you may be held at the port of entry or a nearby detention facility while US authorities arrange your return to Australia (or the last country you visited).

See https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/americas/united-states-america for all the details.