More Countries Issue Travel Warnings for US

For the fourth time in a short period, a country has issued a warning to its citizens traveling in the United States. The Kingdom of Bahrain issued the warning via Twitter, advising its people to be "cautious of protests or crowded areas."

Please be cautious of protests or crowded areas occurring around the US. Emergencies call the embassy at 202.342.1111 ext9 or 202.297.0537

— Bahrain Embassy (@BahrainEmbDC) July 9, 2016

The warning comes after a spate of high-profile violent incidents in the United States and increased tensions between minority groups and law enforcement. From a nightclub mass shooting in Orlando, Florida to a sniper killing of police officers in Dallas, Texas, it’s been impossible to look at U.S. News without worrying about the state of affairs and what that might mean for people traveling abroad within these borders.

On top of that, there have also been a number of incidents specifically to warrant increased concern from foreign travelers.

In Avon, Ohio, a man from the United Arab Emirates was accosted by law enforcement under suspicion of terror activities. It was later discovered that he was suspected simply for wearing traditional dress and speaking Arabic while in the area for medical treatment. Area officials apologized, but the UAE issued a travel advisory telling their citizens to avoid traditional dress.

In Louisiana and Minnesota, two black men were shot and killed in encounters with law enforcement that are currently still under investigation. Those incidents led to the murders of law enforcement in Dallas and a travel advisory from Bahamas that their citizens should: "Exercise appropriate caution generally. In particular, young males are asked to exercise extreme caution in affected cities in their interactions with the police. Do not be confrontational and cooperate."

New Zealand issued a similar warning after the shootings. 

While all four countries are smaller nations with relatively small tourism numbers to the U.S., it’s a troubling trend in travel connected to tensions that already have the country on edge. 

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