Artists Reconsider U.S. Tours Amid Fears of Border Detention and Political Repercussions

A wave of internationally recognized artists — from musicians to novelists and poets — are reconsidering or outright cancelling their upcoming tours in or around the United States. Growing concerns over border detentions, heightened scrutiny of political expression, and fears of being denied re-entry into the country have fueled widespread anxiety among creatives, especially those who have publicly criticized U.S. policies or leadership.

Neil Young Raises Concerns Over U.S. Reentry

Canadian-American rock legend Neil Young, renowned for classic hits like Heart of Gold, Cinnamon Girl, and Harvest Moon, has not officially cancelled his U.S. tour but has publicly expressed apprehension. Writing on his website, Young revealed fears that his outspoken criticism of former U.S. President Donald Trump could result in problems at the border when he returns from Europe.

“When I go to play music in Europe, if I talk about Donald J. Trump, I may be one of those returning to America who is barred or put in jail to sleep on a cement floor with an aluminum blanket,” Young wrote.
“If I come back from Europe and am barred, can’t play my USA tour, all of the folks who bought tickets will not be able to come to a concert by me.”

Young is slated to kick off his Love Earth World Tour in Sweden this June, with stops across Europe, including a performance at Glastonbury Festival, before moving on to Canada and the U.S. later in the year. In another post dated March 31, he added:

“If you don’t agree with our government, you are barred from entering or sent to jail.”

Ali Hazelwood Cancels U.K. Tour

Ali Hazelwood, a best-selling romance author known for viral BookTok favorites like The Love Hypothesis, Bride, and Deep End, has cancelled her upcoming April book tour in the U.K., citing fears of not being allowed back into the United States.

Hazelwood, who was born in Italy and currently resides in the U.S., shared on social media:

“It breaks my heart to do this, especially so last minute. This is because of several complicated reasons that mostly boil down to the fact that, things being what they are, it’s not possible for me to safely travel outside and then back inside the U.S.”

Though she refrained from going into detail, Hazelwood alluded to broader concerns about the safety of cross-border travel for those critical of U.S. policies.

UK Subs Denied Entry

In another incident, members of British punk rock band UK Subs were denied entry into the United States in March. Bassist Alvin Gibbs posted on Facebook that upon arriving in Los Angeles for a scheduled performance, he and two other bandmates were stopped by immigration officers and subsequently sent back.

According to Gibbs, officials cited a visa issue and an undisclosed “other issue.” He speculated that his history of criticizing the U.S. president might have contributed to the situation.

“I’m now wondering if my regular and less-than-flattering public pronouncements regarding their president and his administration were a factor,” Gibbs wrote.

He described having his passport, luggage, and phone confiscated, and being held for 25 hours before being deported.

Poets and Students Face Increased Scrutiny

Award-winning Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha, who recently fled Gaza and resettled in the U.S., announced that he has cancelled 16 scheduled events at major American universities, citing serious safety concerns. These include appearances at Stanford, Columbia, NYU, and Cornell.

“Unfortunately I had to cancel all my upcoming events in the United States as I felt unsafe traveling, especially after watching students and university professors abducted on the street just in front of other people,” he said.
“I even don’t feel safe going out to pick up my kids from school.”

Toha has faced a wave of online threats, which he said have escalated fears for his and his family’s safety. He also condemned recent actions against individuals who have spoken out on political matters.

“The serious threats and actions against free speech are vile,” he added.

Toha’s decision came amid reports that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had detained several international students in the U.S. who had participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations or publicly criticized Israel. One notable case involves Doğukan Günaydın, a Turkish graduate student at the University of Minnesota, who was arrested outside his home in St. Paul by plainclothes ICE officers and is still being held.

Canadian Musicians Interrogated in Ohio

Canadian folk duo Cassie and Maggie MacDonald also described a troubling experience during a March tour in the U.S. The Halifax-based sisters were pulled over on an Ohio highway and interrogated by police officers, who reportedly accused them of having drugs and asked whether they preferred the U.S. or Canada.

“I certainly didn’t feel like saying Canada would have been the answer they were looking for,” said Maggie MacDonald, describing the hour-long traffic stop.

Though the Guernsey County Sheriff’s Office later claimed the incident was misrepresented, the experience left the musicians shaken and wary of future U.S. tours.

These stories illustrate a broader climate of fear and uncertainty for international artists traveling to or performing in the U.S. As tensions around free speech, immigration, and political expression rise, the cultural landscape of touring — especially for outspoken individuals — may be shifting significantly.