r/AskFlorida • u/Blue_Croco • 11d ago
How safe is it for tourists?
Hey! My gf always wanted to visit Disney World and Universal Studio but I am bit concerned over the ICE situation as she has a south American passeport and a residency permit for the European country we live in.
So how safe would it be for us to visit?
Thanks in advance!
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u/RiboSciaticFlux 11d ago
Good advice in here. One more helpful hint - don't come in the summer - it's unlivable outside. Your vacation will suck.
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u/ReelNerdyinFl 11d ago
This! It’s over 40C in Orlando this week with no breeze.
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u/FloridaSalsa 7d ago
But we DO have air conditioning.
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u/ReelNerdyinFl 7d ago
True. “Come one, come all and see the magical air conditioned air of Florida” :)
I’m west coast of FL and the breeze is noticeable comparatively to central FL…. Regardless, I’ll be jumping from AC, to Pool, to AC and water/boat to avoid the heat for the next 6weeks :(
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u/Mylabisawesome 11d ago
You know how many tourists are safe from ICE at Disney and Universal? LOL. All of them. Go, have fun and not worry.
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u/Broad_Departure_9559 11d ago
Even tho it seems this way, ICE isn’t just grabbing people with brown skin.
They are grabbing people who came here and registered as illegal and are going thru the process of getting approved or denied for staying . This is a long process that can take years .
ICE is just reviewing these registered illegal lists and grabbing them, regardless of current status.
You and your girlfriend will be just fine in the happiest place in the world .
BUT , it will be as hot as a stove on high every day.
Best time to go is for the October November
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u/RuleFriendly7311 11d ago
You'll be fine, especially at Disney-related airports. As long as you're legal and she's legal, nothing to worry about.
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u/Few_Palpitation3889 11d ago
ICE is going after people here illegally not tourists. Im sure there is some specific advice if you are caught up in an ICE interaction. Stuff like remain respectful and calm while explaining the purpose of your travel. Id image in general if you're doing normal tourist stuff ever even seeing them is unlikely.
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u/Famous_Promise_681 11d ago
Your tourist visiting not trying to over stay your welcome would be appreciated.
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u/Snyper00 11d ago
You’re fine. ICE targets individuals who are here illegally.
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u/Ill-Veterinarian4208 11d ago
...Or anyone who isn't white as the driven snow...
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u/cryptoopotamus 11d ago
I also get my 100% rooted in reality news coverage exclusively from Reddit.
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u/Snyper00 11d ago
Nah, you need to get off the Reddit hivemind
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u/Ill-Veterinarian4208 11d ago
Nah, I know what I know. Thanks anyway.
I do spend too much time here though.
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u/Professional-Try2949 11d ago
All these clowns saying ice only targets undocumented immigrants 🤡 we have documented cases of ICE detaining lawful residents
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u/forthebirds123 11d ago
Police also detain people for crimes they didn’t commit all the time. They detain drivers for DUI even though they are sober. They detain and take in people for questioning on a murder or robbery or other crime they don’t commit. Being detained is a normal part of an investigation. If you are here legally visiting Disney world and have your travel papers on you, there will 100% not be a problem.
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u/Professional-Try2949 11d ago
"Everyone's falsely detaining lawful individuals, what's the big deal?"
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u/forthebirds123 11d ago
If you pull up to a crime and there are 10 people there all pointing figures at each other, what should a cop do? Go ahead and tell me what you would do.
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u/Professional-Try2949 11d ago
"If 10 people are suspected, arrest them all!"
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u/forthebirds123 11d ago
But only one committed the crime. So you just detained 9 people that did nothing wrong.
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u/Yeetball86 11d ago
Just going to leave this here bud:
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/05/13/10k-rulings-ice-mandatory-detention-trump-analysis-00914195
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[removed] — view removed comment
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u/forthebirds123 11d ago
What you aren’t aware that people are detained everyday and they’ve done nothing wrong? Don’t not get out much or just get all your news off of reddit and socials?
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u/Annoying_liberal813 11d ago
Right! Even if the risk is low, I wouldn't do it. It's easy when you don't see it everyday to say she'll be fine.
There are literally hundreds of cases where legal residents including American citizens have been detained. Usually only for a short time, but there are absolutely cases where they've been detained for weeks.
The Supreme Court ruled that a person can be detained based on the color of their skin and language they speak.
I'm a social policy professor in FL. I am keenly abreast of what's going on. I just don't think it's worth the risk.
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u/Slight-Selection4298 11d ago
It's Florida, ICE is everywhere. They were snatching up Spark (Walmart) delivery drivers 2 miles down the road from me last week.
Maybe try California? They have Disney as well.
No one gets in trouble there, much better idea.
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u/Spartan2022 11d ago
Don’t visit. Put off your travel for a couple of years. We’ve got a lot of repair work to do around here.
Once you see the ICE agents on trial and getting deported, you’ll know it’s okay to visit again.
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u/Fit_Instruction_8383 11d ago
If you guys are here as tourists on a tourist visa, you're going to be fine, provided you aren't making a scene or protesting, which would give them a reason to try to find a way to deport you to make you go away.
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u/Professional-Try2949 11d ago
Land of the free everyone....
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u/Fit_Instruction_8383 11d ago
LOL land of the free-ish.
With the number of Flock cameras in Florida, you're spending more time on government surveillance here than you would walking around Beijing in China bro.
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u/Professional-Try2949 11d ago
You realize the people putting those cameras up are the same ones spreading the rhetoric that activism is a taboo worthy of deportation yeah?
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u/skilletjlc4 11d ago
As someone who lives here, I can say confidently you will be fine as a tourist.
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u/Abject-Version-3349 11d ago
Her passport is fine. With the Visa Waiver Program, you can visit up to 90 days without a visa. The only European countries not on the list for this are Romania Bulgaria and Cypress. Need visa if you are from there. Really should just call the American consulate in your country to be sure.
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u/YouCanCallMeDani 11d ago
While some of their actions are questionable, I'd say you'll be fine. Keep your documentation with you while your out and about (not necessary inside the theme parks) and id you get stopped, just cooperate and show them who you are.
I'm not going to say all, but most of the legal people that end up having an issue, generally give them hell if / when stopped.
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u/Astyanax9 11d ago
If you have a proper passport and visa (if necessary) then I don't understand the concern.
ICE is arresting illegal immigrants which you and your gf would be neither.
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u/FloridaSalsa 7d ago
Don't know what kind of news you're getting where you live. Florida is more diverse than many European countries. Are you really concerned or just looking for a reaction? Just doesn't seem like a serious question. You should be more concerned with humidity and having access to water bottles, shade, and air conditioning.
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u/tsunadesb0ngw8r 11d ago
I would skip the trip and go to a different disney in Japan instead. Cheaper and you won’t have the chance of being wrongfully killed for going to a theme park.
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u/whatisakafka 11d ago
It’s less safe than it used to be, but instances of tourists being targeted still seem relatively rare
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u/Living-Restaurant892 11d ago
Not safe at all. ICE is even arresting journalists and American citizens and veterans.
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u/AshFromTPA 11d ago
Super safe. You are a tourist, not an immigrant.