The Canadian government has updated its travel advisory, warning citizens that U.S. border officials can search electronic devices—including phones, laptops, and tablets—without providing a reason. The advisory urges travelers to “expect scrutiny” when crossing the border and cautions that refusing to comply may result in device seizure, delays, or denial of entry for non-U.S. citizens.
Under U.S. law, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents can demand passwords to unlock devices during inspections. The Canadian government recommends placing devices in airplane mode before crossing to prevent unintended downloads of remote files, which could complicate screenings.
The warning follows recent incidents, including the case of Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a Lebanese assistant professor at Brown University, who was deported after U.S. agents found deleted photos of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on her phone. In a court filing, Alawieh stated she deleted the images to avoid appearing supportive of the groups, but authorities still deemed them grounds for deportation.
Another case involved Canadian Jasmine Mooney, detained for 11 days at the Mexico-San Diego border after attempting to renew her work visa. She described her detention conditions as inhumane, raising further concerns about U.S. border practices.
While U.S. authorities argue device searches are vital for national security, civil liberties groups criticize them as invasive. The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld warrantless searches under the “border exception” to the Fourth Amendment.
Canada’s advisory emphasizes that travelers must comply with U.S. entry requirements, as the government cannot intervene on their behalf. The update serves as a reminder for Canadians to prepare for heightened scrutiny when crossing into the U.S.
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