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Trump declares Antifa a terrorist organization – what does that mean for travelers?
Travel to the USA: New entry regulations after Trump's Antifa decree. Information on security checks and digital traces.
Trump declares Antifa a terrorist organization – what does that mean for travelers?
On September 23, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order declaring the Antifa movement a “domestic terrorist organization.” This decision comes in the context of growing tensions and is viewed against the backdrop of the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was murdered on September 10, 2025. The executive order calls for a comprehensive investigation into all illegal activities that may be linked to Antifa, as well as the funding of such operations. Despite these measures, it remains unclear how the order can be specifically implemented, since Antifa is considered a decentralized movement and there is no federal legal basis for classifying domestic terrorist groups.
Trump's actions were met with mixed reactions. Experts doubt the success of current efforts to designate Antifa as a terrorist organization because there have been a lack of legal options for classification. Historically, an attempt was made to classify Antifa as early as May 2020 during protests against police violence, but without lasting success. The focus may now turn to funding the movement rather than protests, raising questions about possible First Amendment violations. Senator Ted Cruz has called on the FBI Directorate to investigate Antifa's financial background, but has offered no evidence to support his claims.
Entry into the USA under new conditions
The new measures related to the Antifa statement also have an impact on entry requirements into the USA. How ZDF today reports, travelers can be thoroughly checked by border officials upon entry, regardless of their status - be it a tourist or a business traveler. A Customs and Border Protection officer has the final say, even if travelers have a valid visa. Political content on their digital devices could lead to refusal of entry.
The US authorities collect extensive information about travelers in advance, including data from social media. These controls currently affect around 1-2% of travelers, based on predetermined risk assessments. Experts therefore recommend minimizing digital traces and deleting content related to political activism to avoid risks when entering the country. If entry is refused, there is no formal complaint process. In such cases, travelers should remain calm and request a lawyer or consular representative.
It currently remains unclear how many travelers are actually affected by entry refusals, as no official statistics are available. The uncertainties and restrictions increase many observers' concerns about changes in entry policy and their long-term impact on international exchange and personal freedom.