My family has been planning a driving trip to Niagara Falls (Canadian side) this summer, and now I'm worried about crossing the border. 😕 I might need to delete Bluesky off my phone before we go because this is the place I've been most critical of the current administration.
A friend doesn't use any social media apps, instead using them all via Safari, which he signs out of when he crosses borders. (Honestly, if I were visiting the US now I might just buy a burner flip phone after arrival and leave my smartphone at home.)
Yeah. Too many people have already had to spend their whole lives taking extra precautions in encounters with any sort of US law enforcement, and now it's everyone.
There's a Spanish one here: https://www.eff.org/wp/digital-privacy-us-border-2017
Note that this is out of date. For example, it says "The border in not a Constitution-free zone." I think we have to assume that it is, now--indeed, the whole country is. Border agents know they probably won't be punished for violating the law.
I've read the EFF guidance but just wondered if anyone knew whether having a close relative that has renounced US citizenship is likely to attract extra scrutiny at the border? Asking for a friend
Of course this is a frivolous reason, but I worked at Walt Disney World for years and international tourists, esp Canadians and British, were a big chunk of that business. I bet it declines drastically, though.
Professionals who long ago committed to giving papers at a professional conference, or musicians who long ago committed to give a concert performance in the US, or people attending a family member's wedding or funeral.
if you’re in canada your side of the falls is better anyway
if you’re in the states well you can see it just fine from our side but the amenities aren’t as cool (no zip line …)
still recommend a trip but maybe stay on one side or the other?
the US side is still incredible tbf, I visited recently and it’s fantastic - the maid of the mists is a must-ride. but yeah i’d been planning another trip this fall and now i’m like. hm welp —
enjoy your trip and i hope you’re able to visit both sides safely!
Is there any record of the border guards (TSA or CBP) harassing US citizens this way? (I know the ICE goon squads have; I understand that they're a distinct force though).
Sorry, I should've specified that i meant private citizen: I'm trying to figure out if this new level of "scrutiny" the trump-emboldened border patrol is applying to visa holders, that gets some detained for weeks for no reason, is currently being applied to US citizens in general as well.
Like, knowing that the US did this to a prominent critic 20 years ago doesn't speak to the question of whether citizens currently abroad risk two weeks in a concentration camp for coming home, which is the question I (and I assume others as well) are interested in determining.
Curious as well. Last time through (a year ago) the border guard asked about my and my wife's relationship, which I thought was creepy. I said we were married, and she said "Well, you don't have the same last name on your passports" ... I barely refrained from pointing out it was the 21st century.
Meaning, I'm wondering now how likely it is that this boring extremely white extremely middle-aged couple will be fielding stupid questions about what we thought of Canada and so on and so forth, and what would happen if we answered with any sarcasm at all.
They have seized citizens, taken the wallet with their ID showing they're a citizen, and treated them as an excludable "alien" for some period of unpleasant time. I think it's only a small step before US citizens too are harassed and possibly jailed for having sometime back criticized the regime.
We are deeply troubled to learn that a trans woman who is a member of our team is at risk while being wrongly incarcerated, particularly as she has been placed on the men's side of the facility.
Yup. That's the reality. It has always been this way, but in the past you'd expect not to worry about it if you can provide reasonable explanations to stuff.
I never crossed once during 45. Definately will not cross during 47. Recent arrests of Canadians, Brits, Germans is an effective deterrent. They don't just turn you around and send you back - they arrest you and throw you in jail for weeks. Who knows how many others have not made the news.
I guess these days anyone stating they don't have a smart phone would be considered a liar & searched. Truth is I don't have one and never will have one. Own an old flip phone which is always off. Not that I'll be driving to Washington from Vancouver anytime soon.
Why would I even go to the US? So your crazy guys send me to a concentration camp? I'd not even take a flight through, because the airplane might fall in there, as been happening lately.
Hey, these are the same guys providing a bounty for huge primes! Neat to see intelligent organizations doing more than just promoting curiosity, but spreading knowledge of your rights.
As a US citizen widow of a Quebecer. If you don't need to come, don't. Trump's GOP needs to realize they killed our economy. I'm scared and I'm a citizen.
Comments
Like all of them.
Note that this is out of date. For example, it says "The border in not a Constitution-free zone." I think we have to assume that it is, now--indeed, the whole country is. Border agents know they probably won't be punished for violating the law.
🤬🤬🤬
an expat living in NL but have a place in PA. my husband is Dutch, no green card etc.
what kind of exposure do I have? or does my husband have?
#BoycottAmerica
if you’re in the states well you can see it just fine from our side but the amenities aren’t as cool (no zip line …)
still recommend a trip but maybe stay on one side or the other?
enjoy your trip and i hope you’re able to visit both sides safely!
Since yesterday there is another reason to avoid Turkey, too.
https://www.eff.org/wp/digital-privacy-us-border-2017#main-content
https://newrepublic.com/post/192946/french-scientist-denied-us-entry-trump-criticism
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/19/canadian-detained-us-immigration-jasmine-mooney