How US Tourism Might Face Collapse with Looming ICE Detention for Future Travelers?

Published on May 20, 2025

The heightened detentions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in US airports have significantly affected global traveler sentiment toward visiting the United States. The increasing incidents of detentions, interrogations, and deportations at various entry points have led to a noticeable shift in international travel patterns, with many travelers now choosing alternative destinations perceived as safer and more welcoming.

Travelers worldwide, particularly from historically strong visitor markets such as Canada, Europe, and South Korea, have altered or canceled their U.S. travel plans. Reports indicate that foreign visitors are increasingly apprehensive about potential detention and related uncertainties, leading to a sharp decline in international visitor numbers to popular American destinations.

Industry Calls for Policy Reform

The tourism sector in the U.S. has begun strongly advocating for immediate policy reform to mitigate further damage to the industry. Key industry figures have emphasized the urgent need for changes that would restore international travelers’ confidence and prevent lasting harm to the U.S. tourism sector.

Jackie Filla, president of the Hotel Association of Los Angeles, highlighted the negative global perception, noting that the U.S. is inadvertently damaging its own economic health and that of its international partners by discouraging foreign visitors through aggressive ICE enforcement actions.

Economic Impact on Border States

States with significant dependence on tourism, such as Florida, Texas, California, and New York, are facing particularly acute economic impacts due to the decline in international visitors. Each of these states has historically benefited from substantial foreign tourism revenue, but the recent drop in visitors is translating into significant economic losses that could resonate for years.

Adam Sacks, president of Tourism Economics, warned of substantial financial losses across these key states, emphasizing that no region would remain unaffected. Both politically conservative and liberal states are equally vulnerable to the downturn in visitor numbers.

Human Stories Behind the Crisis

The human aspect behind this tourism crisis has amplified concerns globally. Individual experiences shared publicly highlight why international travelers feel deterred from visiting the U.S. Cheryl, a frequent visitor from Canada, decided against her usual annual trip to Iowa due to safety concerns surrounding ICE’s aggressive detention policies. Her personal testimony underscores broader fears among international travelers about their safety and well-being when entering the U.S.

Reports of travelers experiencing invasive searches of personal devices, lengthy interrogations, and detentions without clear justifications have significantly undermined the perceived safety and attractiveness of the United States as a tourism destination.

Airline Industry Implications

Airlines operating routes to the U.S. have responded rapidly to declining passenger volumes by reducing or eliminating routes altogether. Notably, Canadian airlines such as Air Canada and WestJet have canceled flights to major American cities, including Las Vegas, New York, and Los Angeles, reflecting the severe reduction in demand.

The withdrawal of these routes exacerbates existing economic strain, further discouraging international travel to the United States by limiting accessibility and convenience.

Long-Term Economic Consequences

Economists and industry analysts have expressed concern that the current downturn in international tourism may extend far beyond immediate losses, potentially affecting the U.S. economy for decades. According to projections from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the U.S. tourism sector could lose approximately $12.5 billion in visitor spending this year alone. Additionally, the WTTC highlights that the U.S. is uniquely positioned among 184 global economies in facing a projected decline in international tourism spending.

Julia Simpson, president and CEO of WTTC, characterized the situation as a clear signal for the U.S. government to reconsider its policies urgently, highlighting that this crisis results from specific policy actions rather than a natural market downturn.

Statistics and Financial Projections

The statistical data reflecting the current situation underscores the gravity of the crisis:

• International visitor spending is projected to fall to approximately $169 billion in 2025, down significantly from $181 billion in 2024.
• Key markets have shown drastic reductions in visitor numbers, with Canadian travel dropping by 32%, UK visits declining by nearly 15%, German visitors decreasing by over 28%, and South Korean visitors declining by almost 15%.

These numbers illustrate the stark financial implications of the ICE enforcement strategy, positioning the U.S. as an outlier among global tourism markets.

Industry Perspectives

Industry experts, including Adam Sacks of Tourism Economics, have outlined that the loss in tourism revenues can fundamentally reshape the U.S. travel industry’s competitive landscape. Experts argue that travelers, faced with multiple attractive global alternatives, will readily shift their vacation plans away from destinations perceived as unwelcoming or unsafe.

The long-term implications suggest a substantial economic challenge, as the recovery of international traveler confidence and numbers could potentially take several years or even decades.

US Government and ICE Enforcement

ICE’s intensified enforcement actions, initiated during President Trump’s administration, have been central to the dramatic downturn in tourism. Analysts suggest that this aggressive enforcement policy, apparently aimed at exceeding previous administrations’ deportation figures, particularly those of President Biden, is causing sustained economic and reputational harm.

A former Department of Commerce official described the actions as prioritizing deportation numbers over international goodwill and long-term economic stability, highlighting the inherent contradiction between current enforcement policies and broader economic goals.

The aggressive ICE detention practices at U.S. airports are significantly damaging the country’s international tourism sector, leading to immediate economic losses and long-term negative impacts on global traveler perceptions. Unless addressed through immediate policy changes, the tourism crisis could profoundly alter the economic and cultural landscape of travel to the United States for years to come.