by Oui
Sat Apr 5th, 2025 at 08:49:25 AM EST
There is no protection of privacy nor freedom of expression when entering the United States, the "Free World" today is not a leading democracy at all. Our moral values are not yours.
Before the DOJ cover-up
Patriot Act terrorism and the Bill of Rights personal privacy freedom of expression
Attorney General John Ashcroft Defends the USA PATRIOT ACT (2001)
We support the need to fight all forms of criminality, but this must be done above all by focusing on the origin and prevention of these phenomena and not by placing the emphasis on vague security measures that infringe civil liberties and the fundamental rights and guarantees of citizens, further weakening the democracy in which we live.
Utrecht University (UU) announces measures for researchers traveling to the US
In an Intranet message, Utrecht University (UU) advises scientists to think carefully about the data they take with them to the United States and advises to minimize downloading data via a UU network on site.
American customs are authorized to request passwords and PIN codes, which gives them access to all data on the devices that UU researchers take with them. "We then do not know what happens to the data and devices," says Bart van den Berg of the Student, Education & Research (SO&O) department. "We want to protect UU employees who work with sensitive and advanced data. We also want to prevent scientists from a research discipline that is labeled as 'woke' in the US from getting into trouble at customs or from having their research jeopardized."
Researchers can request a travel laptop and travel phone from the ICT Service Desk for when they travel to the United States. “These devices have been completely cleaned and UU students can transfer the most necessary data to them. They can then be sure that there are no items on their laptops that could cause problems in the US.”
In recent weeks, reports have emerged about researchers from American government agencies who are no longer allowed to talk about gender and climate change. A French scientist was also refused entry at the American border because messages were found on his work computer and personal phone in which he criticized Trump.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently adjusted the travel advice for LGBTQI+ people who want to travel to the US.
Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently adjusted the travel advice to America for LGBTQI+ people
Netherlands tightens US travel advice for LGBTQ+ people | Politico |
German and Finnish authorities have taken similar steps, and Belgium is planning to do the same, as the Trump administration removes some protections for sexual minorities.
The Netherlands has tightened its travel advice to the United States for LGBTQ+ people, highlighting an unease among European nations about Washington’s policies toward sexual minorities.
The Dutch foreign ministry’s travel advice portal now notes that people belonging to a sexual minority should take into account that “laws and customs in the US towards LGBTQI+ people may differ from those in the Netherlands.”
Dutch public broadcaster NOS points out that the travel advisory previously stated that U.S. laws were “comparable to those in the Netherlands,” with its liberal, progressive stance on LGBTQ+ rights.
This is NOT a Trump or Elon Musk measure but decades in tea king as the far right tightens its noose around liberal democrats, let’s say of the Blue States in the East and West of the American Empire.
The Blue blot is ever decreasing, with Joe and Kamala at a fast pace.
NBC News National Political Correspondent Steve Kornacki joins Meet the Press to discuss the key takeaways from the new NBC News poll looking into the Democratic Party and President Trump's job approval.
Bill of Rights (and 14th Amendment) Provisions Relating to the Right of Privacy
The U. S. Constitution contains no express right to privacy. The Bill of Rights, however, reflects the concern of James Madison and other framers for protecting specific aspects of privacy, such as the privacy of beliefs (1st Amendment), privacy of the home against demands that it be used to house soldiers (3rd Amendment), privacy of the person and possessions as against unreasonable searches (4th Amendment), and the 5th Amendment's privilege against self-incrimination, which provides protection for the privacy of personal information.
Amendment IV
(Privacy of the Person and Possessions)
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Amendment IX
(More General Protection for Privacy?)
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Highlights of the USA PATRIOT ACT
Just Released: Delayed Notice Search Warrants: A Vital and Time-Honored Tool for Fighting Crime
Field Report on the Patriot Act
The Department of Justice's first priority is to prevent future terrorist attacks. Since its passage following the September 11, 2001 attacks, the Patriot Act has played a key part - and often the leading role - in a number of successful operations to protect innocent Americans from the deadly plans of terrorists dedicated to destroying America and our way of life.
While the results have been important, in passing the Patriot Act, Congress provided for only modest, incremental changes in the law. Congress simply took existing legal principles and retrofitted them to preserve the lives and liberty of the American people from the challenges posed by a global terrorist network.
The USA PATRIOT ACT: Preserving Life and Liberty
(Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism)
Congress enacted the Patriot Act on 26 October 2001 by overwhelming, bipartisan margins, arming law enforcement with new tools to detect and prevent terrorism: The USA Patriot Act was passed nearly unanimously by the Senate 98-1, and 357-66 in the House, with the support of members from across the political spectrum.
The Act Improves Our Counter-Terrorism Efforts in Several Significant Ways ...
Setting the Record Straight: An Analysis of the Justice Department's Patriot Act Website
Patriot Act to Halt European Terrorists Tourists
’A hostile state': Why some travellers are avoiding the US | BBC News |
In recent months, some Canadians have faced tougher border security than ever before – even those with clean records and valid documents. One woman made international headlines as she was detained by ICE for two weeks in reportedly bleak conditions after her visa was revoked.
"We're a country that prides itself, imperfectly but intentionally, on values like inclusion, equity and human rights. When those values feel out of step with what's happening across the border, it becomes harder to justify participation," said Amar Charles Marouf, a Canadian citizen who works as growth strategist at the international law firm Gowling WLG. "The political climate raises broader questions. What kind of treatment are we normalising? What assumptions are being made about who is welcome and who isn’t?"
It's not that Canadians aren't traveling internationally; many are simply swapping their traditional destinations. Marouf says Mexico, South America and Europe all feel more welcoming at the moment. "California will be there when this is all over, but I just feel like there's less risk going to Portugal instead," added Dingwall.
[work in progress … ⚠️]
