For many months now, European, Canadian, and other foreign visitors have experienced heightened scrutiny upon arriving in the United States. As a consequence, more and more people are reconsidering their plans to travel. Reports indicate that German, British, and other European tourists have been detained and sent back home upon arrival, raising concerns about the implications of visiting the US under the current administration.
Keith Serry, a Canadian performer and attorney with a history of traveling to the US for 35 years, expressed his unease. Now, he doesn’t feel safe making that journey. News of visitors being subjected to invasive questioning on arrival customs has caused him to rethink his travel plans. His sentiments have been mirrored by a number of public institutions in Canada, advising employees to steer clear of travel to the US. One organization responded by warning employees to leave personal devices at home. They advised staff to come with a second device that only had the absolutely necessary information on it.
Serry’s concern is based on reports of travelers being interrogated about their social media activity and religious beliefs. Meanwhile, health experts are recommending that Americans stay home and calling on anyone considering traveling to the US to exercise extreme caution. It’s a smart idea to lock down your social media profiles. Delete sensitive photos and private messages, take down facial recognition apps, and consider using “burner” phones, temporary devices made for short-term use.
Tom McBrien, counsel at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, alluded to the increasing concern about traveling to the US. He stated that the US has seemingly “lost its goodwill” in this context, as more travelers share their experiences of being questioned about their views and activities.
For Alistair Kitchen, a Melbourne-based writer and artist, it was a nightmare scenario come to life in the month of June. He was arrested and deported from the US. Border agents questioned him about his reporting on pro-Palestinian demonstrations and illegally searched his phone. Kitchen vowed never to surrender his phone passcode, stating, “Under no conditions would I ever hand over the passcode to that phone.” He went on to echo his personal preference for immediate deportation over having to surrender more privacy.
For Canadian traveller Kate, these were the kinds of quandaries she struggled with. She has long dreamed of visiting her relatives in America. Fears of excess examination and possible incarceration hound her. “It would be really nice to have trust that those kinds of things were true, and that these kinds of stories that you hear, while absolutely horrific, are isolated incidents,” she said.
Currently, US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) searches of electronic devices as standard operating procedures, especially at our borders. These searches assist with the interception of digital contraband, the recognition of terrorism-related digital content, and the confirmation that visitors are admissible. A DHS spokesperson stated, “These searches play a critical role in national security.” Further, they dismissed claims of political targeting as “baseless and irresponsible.”
Travelers such as Serry are becoming increasingly testy at having their ideas subjected to scrutiny. This heightened unease only intensifies when they arrive in a land that has historically been viewed as a bastion of democracy. He reflected on this troubling reality: “The fact that we’re being evaluated for our opinions entering a country that… purported to be an example of democracy. If these sound familiar, they should make you very uncomfortable.”
Previous concerns about the search of electronic devices have led to action from lawmakers. At least 15 countries have recently revised their travel advisories against the US. Both Australia and Canada have revised their guidance to specifically warn about potential searches of electronic devices at the border. A French scientist recently blasted Donald Trump. When agents checked his phone in March, they barred him entry, raising alarm among international travelers.
Donald Rothwell, a leading professor of international law, has decided to refuse speaking invitations to the US. In this scenario, he is afraid that he will be arrested or turned away. He remarked on the situation: “I might be commenting on matters that could be quite critical of the United States.”
Heather Segal, an immigration attorney, noted an unsettling trend: “Everybody feels guilty, but they don’t know exactly what they’re guilty of.” Millions of travelers would agree with this idea as they think about their safety and privacy while crossing international borders.