Canadian immigration lawyers are advising travelers to the United States to use burner phones instead of personal devices. This guidance comes in response to the Personal Data concerns arising from the US Customs New Crackdown on mobile phone inspections at the U.S. border. U.S. border officials now have the authority to inspect mobile phones, review social media activity, and even copy data stored on the device. Immigration lawyer Heather Segal explains that the understanding and application of personal privacy at U.S. borders has significantly changed, increasing the vulnerability of travelers to invasive searches and data collection.
Personal Data Protection and US Customs New Crackdown
As U.S. travel regulations tighten and border scrutiny increases, immigration experts urge Canadians to leave their phones behind when traveling. They recommend using temporary or “burner” phones when crossing into the U.S. This advice comes as U.S. customs officers now have broad authority to inspect digital devices, monitor social media activity, and extract data without consent, putting personal data at greater risk.
US Customs New Crackdown and Long-Term Stays
Starting April 11, 2025, Canadians planning to stay in the U.S. for more than 30 days must register with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The US Customs New Crackdown aims to track extended foreign stays more closely with this new requirement. Global Affairs Canada’s travel advisory includes this update for Canadian citizens, urging long-term visitors to comply with the new regulation and safeguard personal data.
Impact of US Customs New Crackdown on Canadian Visa Holders
The new policy affects travelers aged 14 and older who have not previously undergone biometric screening. However, Canadians entering the U.S. under certain nonimmigrant visa categories, such as work permits, and who have already been issued an I-94 arrival/departure record may not need to complete the additional registration step, helping mitigate the data risks.
