U.S. immigration sparks massive worrying among British legal professionals, resembling the MAGA movement's scale.

In the Trump-dominated era, British lawyers find themselves perpetually on edge while traversing the US

A nine-hour flight, far from ensuring relaxation, now stirs up anxiety in the hearts of many British lawyers as they brace themselves for the immigration checks at JFK, O'Hare, LAX, or any of the 400+ US airports. Those fortunate enough to snag a first-class seat might be the exceptions, but for most, the last thing they need is to worry about their entry into the country due to their profession.

The current political climate in the US has thrust lawyers into the fray, earning them a place on President Trump's ever-growing list of suspected adversaries, a position not too dissimilar to that of journalists. In this climate of distrust, lawyers are increasingly asked to perform mental gymnastics, triple-checking all visa documentation and rehearsing responses to potential questions from immigration officers. "I was hauled in for an additional screening, and I had no inkling as to the reason," a senior lawyer confided to City AM. "I just kept my cool and took the safe approach."

Some lawyers compare the current situation to the precautions they'd previously been advised to take when traveling to China. Memories of the past suddenly resurface - advice about leaving work phones behind, now reapplied to trips to the US.

The heightened sense of unease among professionals in the legal field is not unfounded, as a leading partner at a prominent law firm shared with City AM that their colleagues are beginning to favor burner devices over their work laptops, fearful of potential information theft. The apprehension stems from the concern that laptops containing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) materials could be seized and used against their firms by the Trump administration.

This apprehension follows a federal agency's request for details on DEI policies from 20 major law firms, many of which have roots in London. Several firms are still mulling over their responses.

The Trump administration's antagonism extends further, with law firms being targeted by executive orders, allegedly due to ties with the Democratic Party or associations with individuals involved in prosecutions against the President. The ever-growing list of grievances and suspicions serves to remind these professionals that they're squarely in the crossfire.

The situation is so dire that several countries, including Germany, the UK, and Portugal, have issued travel advisories for their citizens visiting the US. Headlines abound with instances of law-abiding tourists, including British and German nationals, being detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The crackdown on immigration has resulted in some individuals being held for extended periods before being shipped back to their homeland. These stories circulate widely in the media and on social platforms, prompting many to consider scrapping their travel plans to the US.

In an era of heightened tensions, firm leaders must navigate this minefield, as many British law firms embark on aggressive expansions across the Atlantic. Kennedys Law, Freshfields, Bird & Bird, and Clifford Chance have already established multiple offices in the US, while A&O Shearman and Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) are wrapping up major mergers Stateside. The cat-and-mouse game between lawyers and the Trump administration continues, with City lawyers finding themselves in a precarious predicament - their travel rewards points never being higher, yet the anxiety levels never being higher either.

In times like these, Maria Ward-Brennan's (Eyes on the Law) weekly column offers a valuable perspective on the legal sector.

**Overall Enrichment Insights****

Reasons for Increased Anxiety Among British Lawyers Traveling to the US

Perceived Hostility: The political climate under President Trump has led to a heightened sense of hostility towards professionals like lawyers, increasing their anxiety levels during US travel.
** heightened Scrutiny**: Lawyers are subject to increased scrutiny at US airports, adding to their anxiety due to the perceived distrust and preconceived notions held by immigration officers.
Cultural Comparisons: Some lawyers compare their experiences at US borders to traveling to countries like China, highlighting the gravity of the situation and emphasizing the steps that may need to be taken to mitigate risks.

Impact on Travel Decisions

Increased Precautions: British lawyers are taking additional precautions such as triple-checking visa documentation and rehearsing potential questions from immigration officers.
Professional Impact: The heightened state of anxiety and uncertainty may lead to a decrease in the number of business trips or a shift towards alternative destinations for international work.
Cultural Impact: Lawyers' perceived hostility by certain governments may deter them from traveling for leisure, leading to a decline in tourism.
British lawyers face increased anxiety when traveling to the US due to the political climate, as they are perceived as potential adversaries by the Trump administration.
Greater scrutiny at US airports compounds the anxiety of British lawyers, creating a sense of distrust and preconceived notions among immigration officers.
Some lawyers compare the heightened scrutiny at US borders to precautions they've previously been advised to take when traveling to China, signifying the gravity of the situation.
To mitigate risks, British lawyers are taking extra measures such as triple-checking visa documentation and rehearsing potential responses to questions from immigration officers.
The increased anxiety and uncertainty may lead to a decrease in business trips, a shift towards alternative destinations for international work, and a potential decline in tourism.

U.S. immigration sparks massive worrying among British legal professionals, resembling the MAGA movement's scale.