When Travel Isn’t Worth the Risk: Why Ebony Travelers May Want to Hit Pause Right Now.

At EbonyTravelers, we love everything that travel represents—freedom, joy, growth, and connection. I always encourage travel, foreign and domestic, but in today’s political climate and with increased intrusive policies, this might be the first time I recommend a pause. In today’s climate, choosing not to travel can be the smartest and safest move, especially when the systems meant to protect us are being used to target us. Whether you're flying internationally or simply returning home, today's travel landscape in the U.S. is increasingly hostile, especially for travelers of color. For many, the journey now comes with heightened scrutiny, uncomfortable searches, and hours-long interrogations that can feel more like an accusation than a routine check.  We're here to say that you don't have to subject yourself to that—not now, not like this.

✋🏾 TSA: When the Search Becomes Personal

For many travelers of color, airport security is where the travel experience already starts to feel unsafe. TSA agents, empowered by vague definitions of "suspicion," often subject Black and Brown travelers to:

·       Additional "random" checks

·       Extra screening for natural hair, especially locs and braids

·       Being pulled aside for pat-downs or luggage inspections

·       Aggressive questioning about travel intentions or relationships

It's more than inconvenient—it's humiliating. And when you push back, you become the problem.

🔍 Digital Scrutiny: "Unlock Your Phone, Please."

What's even more alarming is what happens at the U.S. border—even for U.S. citizens. Upon entry, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers can detain travelers for hours, demand access to personal electronics, and even search messages, photos, and apps without a warrant. Yes, your phone, your tablet, your laptop.  You can be asked to:

·       Unlock your phone for inspection

·       Hand over passwords or social media accounts

·       Explain texts or photos taken during your travels

·       Leave your devices for forensic searches, sometimes for weeks

And if you hesitate, that "suspicion" only grows, especially when your skin color, last name, or travel history don't match their assumptions.

🪑 The Interrogation Room Experience

Too many travelers of color have shared nearly identical stories.  They are pulled from the line, taken to a stark back room, and made to sit in silence.  Sometimes, for hours, there is no explanation, water, or updates—just the echo of a locked door and the burden of being treated like a threat. These rooms, designed to feel intimidating, are often where the actual abuse of positional power occurs. Whether you are a student, a business traveler, or a parent with children waiting outside, someone can strip away your dignity the moment a uniformed person decides you don't "look right." And here's the truth: This is not a rare occurrence.

🌍 Who Is This Happening To?

·       Black U.S. citizens returning home from Africa or the Caribbean

·       Muslim travelers questioned about religion or community ties

·       People of African descent are asked to explain travel photos or connections

·       Mixed-race families accused of trafficking

·       Foreign travelers of color are turned away despite valid documents

None of it is random. All of it is exhausting.

🖤 Why Now Might Not Be the Time

Choosing to delay your travel plans is not about fear—it's about awareness. These policies and practices aren't just "inconveniences" but systemic acts of control and exclusion. And if you're starting to feel like air travel in the U.S. isn't worth the emotional, mental, or legal risk right now, you're not wrong.  Taking a pause doesn't mean giving up.  It means protecting your peace, honoring your boundaries, and saying, "I'll travel when the world is safer for people who look like me."

🔑 What You Can Do

✅ Know your rights.  You are not legally required to unlock your phone at the border, but refusing may lead to device confiscation or delays.

✅ Document everything.  Keep a written record of incidents—names, times, and what was said.

✅ Seek legal help.  Organizations like the ACLU have resources for travelers who are subjected to invasive searches.

✅ Pause if you need to.  There's no shame in saying, "Not right now."

✅ Share your story.  Your experience may help protect someone else.

Final Thought: Your Freedom Shouldn't Be Conditional

You've worked hard. You've paid for your ticket. You've done everything right. And still, you can be treated like a suspect. That's not just unfair. That's unacceptable. Ebony Travelers, the choice is yours. But you deserve to fly when you're ready—when the skies are safer, the laws are fairer, and your humanity is recognized from check-in to customs.  Until then, stay grounded in power. Have you been pulled aside, interrogated, or had your electronics searched at the airport? Your comments are welcome below. Remember to share your story anonymously or publicly, and let's ensure no one travels unaware.