Canadian academics warned to halt non-essential travel to the U.S.
Canadian academics are being urged to avoid all non-essential travel to the U.S. amid the Trump administration’s crackdown on research and education along with heightened fears of being turned away at the border.
On Tuesday, the Canadian Association of University Teachers issued a travel advisory to its members that “strongly recommends” Canadian academic staff travel to the United States only if necessary.
The CAUT represents 72,000 teachers, librarians, researchers, general staff and other academic professionals at some 125 universities and colleges across the country.
The advisory comes as the U.S. rolls back federal research grants to its universities and lays off health agency workers en masse. The CAUT says it issued the warning “given the rapidly evolving political landscape in the U.S. and reports of individuals encountering difficulties crossing the border.”
David Robinson, CAUT executive director, told the Star while the advisory provides guidance to members, the message is “intended to be for academics generally.” He said the advisory is the first of its kind from the association and it was issued after members expressed concerns about travel. [Continue reading…]