The group that represents academic staff at Canadian institutions is cautioning its members against unnecessary travel to the United States.
The Canadian Association of University Teachers amended its travel advise on Tuesday in response to the “political landscape” established by President Donald Trump’s administration and stories of some Canadians having difficulty crossing the border.
According to the group, academics from nations with strained diplomatic relations with the United States, as well as those who have expressed harsh opinions about the Trump administration, should exercise extreme caution when visiting the country.
Furthermore, the group advises academics to carefully assess what information they have or need on their electronic devices before crossing the border, and to take precautions to secure critical information.
Reports of foreigners being held in detention or processing facilities for more than seven days, including Canadian Jasmine Mooney, two German tourists, and a Welsh backpacker, have made headlines since Trump took office in January.
The Canadian government recently amended its travel recommendation for the United States, telling citizens that they may face scrutiny from border guards and incarceration if denied admission.
Crossings from Canada into the United States fell by roughly 32%, or 864,000 people, in March compared to the same month last year, according to US Customs and Border Protection data. Many Canadians are upset about Trump’s annexation threats and trade war, but are also concerned about entering the US.
Author: Abdul Ghani
