Germany and Ireland have recently joined a growing list of countries that have issued travel advisories for the United States. This decision comes in the wake of protests against ICE and violent confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region.

The advisories are a response to the recent turmoil surrounding federal immigration operations in the Twin Cities, an area with a population exceeding three million. These operations have led to several deaths and arrests, intensifying local tensions.

In the past year, at least twelve countries, including major tourism sources such as the UK, Germany, and Canada, have updated their travel recommendations concerning the United States.

While each country’s travel advisories highlight different concerns, Ireland, France, and Germany have specifically cited the civil unrest in the Minneapolis area as a key factor in their warnings.

On January 26, 2026, Germany’s Foreign Office revised its safety guidelines, cautioning that demonstrations in Minneapolis and other American cities can escalate into violence. German citizens were advised to stay vigilant and avoid large public gatherings.

Similarly, Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs issued guidance in mid-January, suggesting travelers exercise heightened caution in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area due to the increased tensions following recent ICE operations.

France and Finland also issued similar warnings, with France recommending avoiding central Minneapolis and staying away from protests or public gatherings.

As a result of the growing number of warnings, travellers headed to the United States are currently being reminded by governments to carry their identification on them at all times.

Germany and Ireland have issued travel advisories for the United States, following ICE protests and violent clashes in Minneapolis (pictured)

It follows the recent deaths and arrests of individuals during increased federal immigrant operations in the Minneapolis-St.Paul area (pictured)

International travel advisories for the US are not new, though earlier alerts have often focused on gun violence rather than civil unrest. 

Uruguay and Japan both warned their citizens after the 2019 mass shooting in Dayton, Ohio. 

Japan’s foreign ministry, meanwhile, continues to describe gun crime as a ‘major public safety concern’ in the US and also highlights the risk of hate crimes based on race, religion and sexual orientation. 

More recent advisories cover a broad range of issues, including natural disasters, gender identification rules, political demonstrations and confrontations with immigration authorities. 

Countries that currently have general travel advisories for the US include: Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, and United Kingdom. 

Larry Yu, a professor of hospitality management at George Washington University’s School of Business, told Condé Nast Traveller that the combination of rising travel warnings, tougher entry rules under the Trump administration and higher visa fees has likely made some international visitors more hesitant about travelling to the US. 

This is reflected in data shared by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which revealed that in 2025, travel to the United States decreased by 6 per cent.

These figures that do not appear to be improving. 

Travellers heading to Minneapolis and the wider United States area are reminded by governments to carry their identification on them

Advisories from 12 nations across the globe cover a broad range of issues in the US, including natural disasters, political demonstrations and confrontations with immigration authorities

Aviation analytics firm Cirium also reports a 14.2 per cent year-over-year decline in flights from Europe to the US for summer 2026, marking a significant drop in transatlantic demand.

Julia Simpson, CEO and president for WTTC, said: ‘This is a wake-up call for the US government. 

‘The world’s biggest travel and tourism economy is heading in the wrong direction, not because of a lack of demand, but because of a failure to act. 

‘While other nations are rolling out the welcome mat, the US government is putting up the “closed” sign.’s.