The Canadian government has issued a travel advisory warning citizens visiting the United States about the authority of U.S. border officials to search electronic devices—including smartphones, laptops, and tablets—without needing to provide a reason.
The updated advisory, published online, urges Canadians to “expect scrutiny” and cautions that refusing to comply may result in device seizure, extended delays, or even denial of entry for non-U.S. citizens.
Under U.S. law, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents are legally allowed to request passwords to unlock electronic devices. Travelers who refuse could face confiscation of electronics or lengthy questioning. The advisory also suggests placing devices in airplane mode before crossing the border to prevent remote file downloads that could complicate security screenings.
READ MORE: Rocket Fire and Airstrikes Escalate Israel-Gaza Conflict Amid Fragile Ceasefire
The warning follows high-profile incidents, including the recent deportation of Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a Lebanese-American physician and assistant professor at Brown University. U.S. agents at Boston Logan International Airport allegedly found deleted images on her phone of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, prompting her deportation.
In court filings, Dr. Alawieh stated she deleted the images shortly before her arrival to avoid any perception of political or military support.
While U.S. authorities defend device searches as essential to national security, civil liberties groups argue the practice violates personal privacy. The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld this authority under the “border search exception” to the Fourth Amendment, allowing warrantless searches at the border.
