Netherlands tightens U.S. travel warning, especially for LGBTQ visitors
The Netherlands has issued a new warning to Dutch citizens considering travel to the United States if they are gay, lesbian, transsexual, or another gender or sexual minority. The Dutch government also warned, "The US government has tightened entry controls for foreign visitors," echoing similar concerns raised by other countries, including the United Kingdom and Germany, in messages to their citizens.
Since Donald Trump returned to office as President of the United States, American authorities only accept gender indication of male or female, including at the border, the Dutch government cautioned. This can have an impact on those applying for the short-stay ESTA entry permission, or for a visa.
"You must indicate your gender at birth when applying for an ESTA or visa. Do you have questions about this? Contact the US Consulate General in Amsterdam," the Dutch government warned. The American consulate on Museumplein in Amsterdam is currently closed for renovations, and will not reopen until at least June 20.
The Dutch travel advisory regarding the United States was updated on Tuesday to specifically caution individuals about changing attitudes and developments regarding legal status, in contrast with the equal protection they receive in the Netherlands. "Please note that laws and customs in the US towards LGBTIQ+ people may differ from those in the Netherlands," the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned.
Previously, the Dutch government stated that national laws and attitudes towards gender and sexual minorities were "similar" to the Netherlands. The warning regarding the situation in various states remained unchanged.
"A number of states have introduced local laws that may have negative consequences for LGBTIQ+ people, for example when it comes to access to health care," the travel advisory to the U.S. has noted for some time.
The Dutch government referred individuals travelling to the U.S. to read information provided by Human Rights Campaign regarding the current situation there. The Dutch government also provides travel updates in Dutch regarding gender and sexual minorities.
Last week, Germany updated their own travel warning for the United States, after three German citizens were detained at the border despite having followed official procedures. Germans are now being warned that the U.S. border authorities can prevent entry even to German citizens who have been approved for a visa or an ESTA.
The United Kingdom also toughened its own alert. "You should comply with all entry, visa and other conditions of entry. The authorities in the U.S. set and enforce entry rules strictly. You may be liable to arrest or detention if you break the rules," the U.K. Foreign Office stated in an update last week.
