University publishes travel guidelines amid reports of detentions, denial of entry: report
A university in Quebec has advised staff to notify their employer before travelling to the United States and to discuss potential risks in advance, according to a report.
Université de Montréal is reminding workers to practice caution when travelling to the U.S., reminding them that customs officers have the right to inspect the electronic devices of those entering the country, reported The Canadian Press (CP).
Staff should also ensure their devices don’t contain sensitive academic information. And that they change passwords if the devices are provided to customs.
Rector Daniel Jutras said the university issued the guidelines on Thursday in response to numerous questions from students and staff about U.S. travel concerns, according to the report.
Workers and students have expressed concerns amid reports of detentions and denial of entry into that country in recent weeks, according to the CP article posted in the Montreal Gazette.
In March, Jasmine Mooney, a businesswoman and former actress, attempted to enter the U.S. at a border crossing near San Diego. However, she was detained for about 12 days before being sent back to Canada, according to a CTV News report.
Université de Montréal first adopted the guidelines in 2023, according to the CP report. The guidelines also include instructions for different situations, such as sanitary concerns or climate-related issues in regions where workers are going, according to the report.
Meanwhile, in a travel advisory issued March 21, the Canadian federal government noted: “Most Canadian business travellers may apply for admission at a U.S. port of entry without first obtaining a non-immigrant visa. However, travellers entering the United States in certain business-related categories are required to present specific documents to establish eligibility for admission.
“If you plan to work in the United States, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for specific requirements.”
In his second term as US president, Donald Trump has moved to overhaul the US immigration system and promised "mass deportations,” according to a BBC report.
"From immigration rules to trade wars, these changes will make travel to and within the US a lot more complicated and way less appealing. It's like putting up a giant 'Do not enter' sign just as the world is getting back into full travel mode," said Kristin Winkaffe, founder of travel firm Winkaffe Global Travel, in the report. "If you make it harder for people to get visas, fewer people will come – it's that simple."
Also, in February, The Guardian reported that, under new rules, Canadians will need to go through a formal border crossing before entering the US side of the Haskell Free Library and Opera House.
The US has blocked Canadian access to a library, which is straddling the Canada-US border, according to the report.
The library is located between Stanstead, Quebec, and Derby Line, Vermont. It was built deliberately to straddle the frontier between the two countries – a symbol of cooperation and friendship between Canada and the US, according to the report. Canadians have long enjoyed easy entry to the space.
This year, Trump has launched a trade war against Canada, imposing tariffs on a number of goods. And the Canadian side has retaliated.
