Despite mounting reports of Canadians facing intrusive device searches and extended questioning at U.S. border crossings, America’s ambassador to Canada insists these incidents don’t represent a systematic pattern of harassment.
Speaking at a press conference in Ottawa yesterday, Ambassador David Cohen acknowledged the concerns but emphasized that border officials are simply “doing their jobs” in accordance with American security protocols.
“We understand the anxiety these searches create, but I want to be clear – there is no targeted campaign against Canadian travelers,” Cohen stated. “The vast majority of the 400,000 people crossing our shared border daily do so without incident.”
His comments come amid growing frustration from Canadian travelers who report being detained for hours, having their phones and laptops searched, and facing aggressive questioning about their social media activities and political views.
Melissa Chong, a Toronto tech consultant who regularly travels to Seattle for business, described her recent experience as “invasive and humiliating.”
“They took my phone for over an hour and went through everything – my emails, photos, even my banking app,” Chong told me. “When I asked why, they said it was a random security check, but it felt targeted.”
According to data from the Canada Border Services Agency, complaints about U.S. border treatment have increased 34% over the past year, with digital device searches being the most commonly reported issue.
Civil liberties groups on both sides of the border have raised alarms. The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association recently published a report documenting 87 cases of what they describe as “excessive screening” of Canadian professionals, students, and tourists.
“What we’re seeing is concerning,” says Mariam Ahmad, a border rights specialist with the BCCLA. “Many travelers report being questioned about their religious practices, ethnic backgrounds, or political opinions – issues that shouldn’t be relevant to border security.”
The Canadian government has been walking a diplomatic tightrope on the issue. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly has confirmed that Ottawa has raised concerns through diplomatic channels while being careful not to inflame tensions with Canada’s largest trading partner.
“We take the rights of Canadian travelers very seriously,” Joly told reporters on Parliament Hill last week. “But we also recognize the sovereign right of any nation to secure its borders.”
Border policy experts note that U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers have broad discretionary powers that often surprise Canadian travelers.
“Many Canadians don’t realize that entering the U.S. is considered a privilege, not a right,” explains Dr. Emily Richardson, professor of international relations at Carleton University. “CBP officers have remarkable latitude to search, question, and even deny entry without providing specific justification.”
The legal framework governing these searches remains murky. While the U.S. Supreme Court has established that routine searches at the border don’t require reasonable suspicion, the rules around digital device searches are less settled, especially as technology evolves.
For Canadians planning cross-border trips, the uncertainty has created new anxieties. Online forums and social media groups now share tips on preparing for border crossings – from backing up devices to limiting what personal information you carry.
Community organizer Jamal Hassan from Windsor, who crosses frequently to visit family in Detroit, says the situation affects certain communities disproportionately.
“My white colleagues cross without issues, but my Muslim friends and I get ‘randomly’ selected almost every time,” Hassan said. “The ambassador can claim there’s no pattern, but our lived experiences tell a different story.”
Business leaders have also voiced concerns about the economic impact. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce recently warned that unpredictable border experiences could discourage business travel and hamper cross-border commerce, which exceeds $2.5 billion daily according to Statistics Canada.
Despite the ambassador’s reassurances, advocacy groups recommend Canadians take precautions before crossing. The Canadian Civil Liberties Association advises travelers to consider traveling with minimal data on their devices, using strong passwords, and understanding they have the right to refuse searches – though refusal could result in denied entry.
Ambassador Cohen did acknowledge room for improvement in communications between border agencies. “We’re committed to ensuring professional treatment while maintaining security,” he said. “The U.S. and Canada are working together to balance efficiency and security at what remains the world’s most successful international boundary.”
As summer travel season approaches, with an estimated 6.8 million Canadians expected to cross into the U.S., both governments face pressure to clarify policies and ensure consistent treatment.
For now, travelers like Chong remain cautious. “I’m not taking chances anymore,” she says. “Before my next trip, I’ll back everything up and basically reset my phone. It shouldn’t have to be this way between neighbors, but here we are.”
