Polish Travelers Report Heightened Scrutiny at U.S. Border

Polish travelers entering the United States are reporting a significant increase in scrutiny and questioning at border control, even those arriving under the visa-waiver program. Recent experiences suggest a more rigorous inspection process than previously encountered.

Patryk, who flew to New York for a week-long visit, described being pulled aside for a lengthy interrogation after passport control. "They asked why I came, how long I was staying, if I had alcohol, what I was bringing. They didn't like it when I said I had no gifts for friends because I hadn't had time to buy them, or that I wasn't bringing cash because I planned to pay by card," he recounted. The entire process, including a thorough search of his luggage, lasted an hour and a half. He noted this level of questioning was similar only to his first trip to the U.S. over a decade ago.

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They asked why I came, how long I was staying, if I had alcohol, what I was bringing. They didn't like it when I said I had no gifts for friends because I hadn't had time to buy them, or that I wasn't bringing cash because I planned to pay by card.

Krystyna, who traveled on a tourist visa to visit her daughter in New Jersey, shared a similar unsettling experience. "Never before have I been asked so many questions. Who I came to see, how long I was staying, where my daughter lives and what she does. The official even suspiciously asked if it was definitely my visa. It was very stressful," she recalled. Like Patryk, she had visited the U.S. multiple times before without such intense questioning.

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Never before have I been asked so many questions. Who I came to see, how long I was staying, where my daughter lives and what she does. The official even suspiciously asked if it was definitely my visa. It was very stressful.

Even some U.S. citizens of Polish origin are experiencing more detailed checks. Monika, returning from Warsaw to Newark, was questioned about her time abroad, spending, and items she was bringing back. "I was surprised by the number of questions. Perhaps it was about checking if I was carrying anything subject to customs duties," she wondered.

Despite these accounts, travel agents specializing in Polish-American travel suggest that most clients still enter the U.S. without major issues. Magdalena Muszyńska, a New York guide, stated that such detailed interrogations are rare among her clients, who are often first-time visitors. However, she acknowledges that many clients inquire about airport procedures due to unsettling social media reports and seek advice on how to behave during inspections.

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I was surprised by the number of questions. Perhaps it was about checking if I was carrying anything subject to customs duties.