Make sure your documents are up to requirements for domestic air travel
Utqiagvik TSA line during the Permanent Fund sale. A REAL ID or other qualifying government-issued identification will be required for domestic travel beginning May 7.
Make sure you have no restricted items in your carry-on bag.
U.S. travelers will need to present a REAL ID-compliant license/ID or another acceptable form of identification to board commercial flights in or out of the country beginning May 7.
Travelers who fail to produce a REAL ID or an accepted alternative may not be allowed through Transportation Security Administration security checkpoints.
Children under 18 are not required to provide identification when traveling within the United States.
REAL ID-compliant cards have a star marking on the upper top portion of the card. If the card does not have one of these markings, it is not compliant and won't be accepted as proof of identity.
A U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents, are acceptable alternatives to a REAL ID.
Other acceptable forms of ID accepted at TSA checkpoints include a U.S. passport or U.S. passport card, Department of Homeland Security-trusted traveler cards, a state-issued enhanced driver's license, and a permanent-resident card.
For a complete list of acceptable alternative forms of identification, visit TSA.gov, and for more information, Department of Homeland Security at visitDHS.gov.
"Travelers who do not present a Real ID-compliant license or acceptable alternative beginning May 7, 2025, will not be permitted through the security checkpoint," Homeland Security states on its on its list of frequently asked questions page.
STEP up for alerts
The Smart Travel Enrollment Program (SMART) is a free service that allows U.S. citizens and nationals to enroll their trip abroad so the Department of State can accurately and quickly contact you in case of an emergency.
Get real time updates about health, weather, safety, and security in the country and plan ahead using information from the local U.S. embassy. STEP can help the embassy or consulate contact you if there's an emergency like a natural disaster, civil unrest, or a family emergency back home.
To register an account, go to https://mytravel.state.gov/s/step to register for STEP, select "Create account" and enter your personal information, including: name, date of birth, passport number, and emergency contact.
Green card holders take note
Having a Green Card (officially known as a Permanent Resident card) allows you to live and work permanently in the United States.
There are an estimated 12.8 million lawful permanent residents who have legal rights to live and work in the country.
However, recent high-profile arrests and deportations of visiting professors and researchers holding green cards has caused great concern that the administration will target permanent residents.
In March, Vice President J.D. Vance said on Fox News that green card holders do not "have an indefinite right to be in the United States of America."
Possible no-goes either way
On March 14, Reuters News Service published an internal Trump administration proposal for these countries whose citizens could face restrictions on entering the U.S. See https://
ban-dozens-countries-memo-says-2025-03-15/
However, the administration's orders could change at any time.
All travel banned to Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen. Visas ware sharply restricted to Belarus, Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Turkmenistan.
Sharpy restricted visas are considered for these countries: Belarus, Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Turkmenistan.
The following countries have 60 days to correct US-identified inadequate passport and security practices: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Republic of Congo, Democratic, Republic of Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Vanuatu, and Zimbabwe.
Common sense would tell you to avoid travel to these countries as you may book a trip, only to have your destination end up on a no-fly list. And if you are from one of these countries, be aware if you visit family, on return, you might be blocked from re-entering the United States.
There have been many U.S. citizens in the news who have been caught carrying medical marijuana, or under the suspicion of being a spy, jailed for years. You don't want to be that person.
Here is a Wikipedia page of people who have been detained. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Americans_wrongfully_imprisoned_or_detained_abroad
Some travel advice
I am in the difficult position of being a travel columnist who now thinks nobody should go anywhere anymore. At least for now, and until the courts step in to uphold the rights of green card holders.
Another point is that many countries hate the United States thanks to this administration's abandonment of historic U.S. support of allies abroad and heavy tariffs that have dangerously affected the world economy.
On the bright side, you're in Alaska.
Ask yourself how many times have you told someone Outside you are from Alaska and they say, "I've always dreamed of visiting Alaska."
If you haven't traveled beyond Anchorage or Fairbanks or any of the large cities, you're missing 99 percent of the state.
This is your chance to see the real Alaska by ferry, small cruise ship, on foot, or by air.
I'll be highlighting some exciting events for you throughout Alaska to open your window to the Last Frontier until things settle down.
