CPJ Safety Advisory: Traveling to the US

Committee to Protect Journalists: “A stated policy goal of the Trump administration is to significantly change U.S. travel and immigration policies. Foreign nationals whose countries do not meet U.S. vetting standards may be barred entry. Journalists will not be exempt and should anticipate potential restrictions or questioning when traveling to or from the United States. Under a draft Trump administration proposal, more than 40 countries, including Iran, Russia, Venezuela, and several African countries, are being considered for full or partially restricted travel to the U.S. The policy is based on a travel ban Trump enacted during his first term, which the Supreme Court upheld. Whilst the new travel ban has been postponed, it could be introduced quickly with little warning. Already, news reports indicate that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials are scrutinizing visitors’ travel documentation with heightened vigilance.  So far, CPJ is not aware of any journalist being directly affected since the travel ban was announced. However, increased border control, inconsistent enforcement, and broad discretionary authority among border agents suggest an unpredictable environment which warrants proactive preparation, including the following safety measures…

Device searches

• The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency (CBP) has the authority to search electronic devices without a warrant or probable cause.
• Border agents may request access to your electronic devices, including passwords and social media details.
• Complying means sensitive data could be copied and stored, risking the exposure of contacts, sourcing, and reporting material.
• Refusing device access can raise suspicions and may lead to extended detention, device seizure, or further questioning. In some cases, refusal may prompt additional visa or residency status scrutiny, which can lead to potential delays or issues with future re-entry processing…”