Ottawa is advising Canadians to expect scrutiny at U.S. border crossings, advising travellers to comply with border agents and warning of the possibility of being detained by authorities, and having their cellphones searched.
The government’s travel website was updated on April 4 to include advice for travellers heading south, saying border agents have “significant discretion” about who gets into the country.
“Expect scrutiny at ports of entry, including of electronic devices,” the travel advisory says.
U.S. border agents are permitted to search electronic devices, like mobile phones, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website.
“CBP officers may search a traveler’s mobile phone, computer, camera, or other electronic devices during the inspection process,” the website says. The number of travellers that have their devices searched was 0.1 percent in 2024, CBP said….