I seem to be developing a habit of only writing blog posts related to conferences I travel to. It’s not that I don’t have other things I want to write about; I’ve got a whole list of ideas. It’s more that it can feel hard to justify time spent writing for enjoyment when I have so many other things that need to get done. On the other hand, it’s good to be in the habit of writing at least a little bit every day… but I digress.
Less than a week after taking office in January, President Trump (ugh, I want to vomit just typing that) signed his infamous (and immoral, and illegal) “Muslim ban”. Although implementation of the ban is largely on hold for now thanks to the courts (and the tireless work of lawyers and activists), that hasn’t stopped border agents from making life difficult for people trying to enter the country.
As an organization which rightfully values diversity and inclusivity, OHBM quickly denounced the ban, and the council voted unanimously to remove US cities from consideration as hosts for the 2020 annual meeting.
Although the meeting is in Canada this year, I suspect some non-trivial number of international attendees will end up transiting through the US on their way to or from Vancouver. Even those of us who are US citizens or permanent residents are now subject to increased scrutiny at the border, especially when it comes to digital privacy.
In light of these facts, I’ve gathered together a few resources on what your rights are when attempting to enter the United States:
- ACLU – Know Your Rights: What to do when encountering law enforcement at airports and other ports of entry into the U.S.
- ACLU – Know Your Rights: What to do when encountering law enforcement (additional information for non-citizens).
- EFF – Digital Privacy at the U.S. Border: Protecting the data on your devices and in the cloud.
- EFF – Border Search Pocket Guide
- Washington Post – How can you protect your right to digital privacy at the border?
- New York Times – What Are Your Rights if Border Agents Want to Search Your Phone?
- Wired – A guide to getting past customs with your digital privacy intact.
Stay strong, my friends, and I hope to see you in Vancouver.