Before you pack your bags for the U.S., ask yourself: Is it worth the risk of ending up in immigration purgatory? DrNorm Sanderswrites.

A FRIEND just arrived back from a two-week visit to California. I asked him over coffee how it went.

He replied:

My friend worried that he would be next, with his long hair and black beard. However, he sailed through: I guess they had reached their deportation quota for he day.

Australian writerAlistair Kitchenwas not so lucky. He was recentlydetainedfor 12 hours at Los Angeles International Airport while travelling to New York to visit friends.

Brutality and deaths surge again as Trump provokes racist hatred

Increasing fatalities confirm that the period of healing in the United States under President Joe Biden is over.

According tothe ABC:

'Move fast and break things': Trump's first 100 days

The first 100 days of Donald Trump's second presidency have seen an unprecedented level of chaos with global repercussions.

The scenario Alistair Kitchen described to the ABC is now a common occurrence in entry halls all over the U.S.

Of course, U.S. immigration officials could be difficult even before Trump World. Some years ago, I travelled to Hawaii for a holiday with my wife,Sue Arnold. She had no trouble and passed quickly into the baggage pickup area.

The official took a hard look at my Australian passport and then said:

I replied:

He punched a button and two cops hustled me off to detention. I sat for an hour in a room full of silent travellers. We were all afraid to speak in case we might say something which a listening device could pick up and be used against us. Eventually, the door opened and Sue came into the room with an official. She pointed at me and said, Thats my husband! Let him go! And they quickly did.

Things are far worse now. ANU Law ProfessorDonald Rothwellsays he'sno longer acceptinginvitations to speak in the United States anymore:

Professor Rothwell has warned of long-term consequences if you're stopped:

Rothwell adds:

Big Brother Donald is watching you. Yes, you.

DrNorm Sandersis a former commercial pilot, flightinstructor, university professor, Tasmanian State MP and Federal Senator.

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