Canadian Academics, Foreign Students Advised Against US Travel Amid Tensions

Amid rising concerns about U.S. immigration enforcement and border scrutiny under the Trump administration, Canadian and international academics and students have been warned to exercise extreme caution regarding travel to and from the United States. The Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) issued an advisory urging its members to avoid non-essential travel to the U.S., citing risks such as searches, detentions, and potential threats to research confidentiality and academic freedom, especially for those critical of U.S. policies or with ties to countries experiencing diplomatic tensions with the U.S. Similarly, Duke University has advised international students, including green card holders, not to leave the U.S. due to the possibility of sudden travel bans and heightened screening procedures, which have already caused difficulties for many re-entering the country. These measures reflect an environment of increased enforcement, with reports of foreign nationals, including students and academics, being questioned, denied entry, or having their visas revoked, particularly if involved in activism or research critical of the U.S. government. Both institutions emphasize that these developments may have immediate effects and urge their communities to reconsider travel plans. The overall climate highlights growing anxieties around political expression, research freedom, and mobility for the international academic community in the United States.