Canadian university staff advised to avoid travel to the U.S. over border ‘difficulties’

The national voice for Canadian university teachers and other professionals has warned against travelling to America due to border “difficulties” and other developing issues.

The Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) is warning academic staff to only travel to the U.S. if it’s essential and necessary.

CAUT says that the warning was sparked by the “rapidly evolving political landscape” in the States, which includes reports of individuals encountering difficulties when attempting to cross the border.

The association has also stated that folks who fall into specific categories should “exercise particular caution.” The categories include citizens or residents of a country identified in reports as “likely to be subject to a travel ban.”

It includes people who are citizens or residents of a country “where there are diplomatic tensions with the U.S,” and those with passport stamps that show they’ve visited countries that may be subject to a travel ban.

Another concerning warning from CAUT is for anyone who has expressed negative opinions about the current administration in the States, including negative views about the administration’s policies.

CAUT says that folks “whose research could be seen as being at odds with the position of the current U.S. administration or its policies” should also exercise caution. The warning also applies to anyone who identifies as transgender “or whose travel documents indicate a sex other than their sex assigned at birth.”

The organization details other risks for Canadians planning on travel to the States, including the chance of having their electronic devices searched.

“In both preclearance zones and border crossings, a U.S. or Canadian border officer can require access to electronic devices such as laptops, notepads, and cellphones, thereby seriously compromising the protection of research confidentiality and academic freedom,” says CAUT.

“While the search powers granted to border agents that cover such electronic devices may not be new, reports continue to suggest that those search powers are being more frequently and arbitrarily exercised.”

If you’re interested in learning more, CAUT has a supplement to its warning with information about other risks regarding U.S. travel.