The US State Department has issued new travel advisories for American citizens visiting Italy and Belgium as they upgraded both countries to level 2 warnings due to the “risk of terrorist violence.”
In a breaking news released on the agency’s website on May 23, the US embassy said in Italy that it is “attention due to terrorism” and that the risks could include “terrorist attacks and other activities” within the country.
“Terrorists may attack little or no warning,” the embassy’s bulletin added that the general targets may include public areas such as transport centres, shopping malls, markets, tourist spots, local government offices, hotels, clubs, restaurants and other sites.
A similar breaking news has been released for Belgium. This includes many of the same languages and locations that could be targeted for potential terrorist attacks.
If a US citizen visits either Italy or Belgium, the Department of State proposes to register with the Smart Traveler Registration Program (STEP) to get messages and alerts from the local embassy and to be contacted promptly in an emergency.
The State Department did not explain why both countries were upgraded to “increased level 2 movements.”
Level 1 – Level 1 – Normal Precautions, Level 2 – Increased Attention, Level 3 – Travel, Rethink Level 4, and Do not travel. The highest levels are usually reserved for war zones, countries with authoritarian governments, or areas with excessive criminal activity, such as temptations.
Other countries in Europe with a Level 2 warning include France, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Kosovo, Albania, Serbia, Bosnia, Herzegovina and Moldova. Both Ukraine and Russia are listed as Level 4 due to a three-year war.
This is because some European countries have issued stronger recommendations on travel to the US in recent months, including the UK and Germany.
In March, German officials issued a statement saying that US officials were enforcing stricter immigration rules at their borders. German citizens entering the country via an electronic travel approval program or via a US visa cannot guarantee entry to the US every time due to border control regulations, the German Foreign Office said at the time.
While a valid electronic system or valid US visa for travel approval “constituently constitutes entry into the United States,” the German Foreign Ministry warned in a translated statement that “final decisions regarding entry will be made by US border officials.”
Convicted in the US, overstaying a short period of visa, giving false information or other crimes could lead to arrest, detention and deportation, the German Foreign Ministry further warned.
“A further questions regarding entry into the US should be made clear to relevant diplomatic missions overseas prior to departure,” the office said.
In an update issued in March, the UK government said citizens going to the US are encouraged to “comply with all entry, visas and other entry conditions” so that “US authorities will set and enforce strict entry rules.”
“If you break the rules, you may be liable to arrest or detain. If you are unsure how these requirements apply to you, contact the U.S. embassy or consulate in the UK,” the government of the country said.
The update comes after President Donald Trump signed an executive order earlier this year that aimed to crack down on illegal immigration, including strengthening border security and declaring invasions and other directives on the US-Mexico border.
