Canadian Academics Urged to Avoid Unnecessary Travel to U.S. Amid Political Tensions
The Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) has issued a rare advisory, cautioning its members against traveling to the United States unless absolutely necessary.
The guidance comes in response to increased border scrutiny and growing political tensions under President Donald Trump’s administration.
The updated travel notice, released Tuesday, highlights ongoing challenges faced by Canadian travelers, particularly those in academia, when attempting to cross into the U.S.
The association noted that individuals from nations with strained relations with the U.S., as well as those who have publicly criticized the Trump administration, are more likely to face difficulties at the border.
CAUT’s advisory is especially directed at scholars whose work may be politically sensitive or who identify as transgender.
The organization emphasized that researchers should think critically about the contents of their digital devices before entering the U.S., due to the risk of sensitive data being accessed during border inspections.
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Heightened Concerns Over Border Scrutiny and Research Privacy
There have been several recent incidents of international visitors being held for extended periods in U.S. detention facilities. These include Canadian citizen Jasmine Mooney, two German tourists, and a traveler from Wales.
Since Trump assumed office in January, such cases have fueled anxiety over stricter immigration practices. In response, the Canadian government revised its own travel guidance, alerting citizens that they may be subject to increased scrutiny or detention when denied entry.
According to figures from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, crossings from Canada into the U.S. fell sharply in March—by roughly 32% compared to the previous year—reflecting a decline of over 860,000 travelers.
Many Canadians are not only troubled by escalating trade conflicts and controversial statements from the U.S. president, but also fear being targeted at the border.
“This is the first time in my 11 years with the association that we’ve issued a warning against non-essential travel to the United States,” said David Robinson, CAUT’s executive director.
“It’s clear there’s been heightened scrutiny of people entering the United States, and … a heightened kind of political screening of people entering the country.”
Robinson explained that the advisory followed legal consultations, which indicated that academic confidentiality could be compromised during border searches.
He added that the association will maintain the travel warning until border practices reflect “more respect for confidential information on electronic devices” and political screening is halted.
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