CEGEPs Suspend US Stays Amid Insecurity
- Montreal—What was once considered a routine educational destination, the United States is now viewed with increasing apprehension by some quebec colleges.
- “We are taken aback,” said Sophie Roy,a professor who had been planning a study trip to Louisiana for weeks.
- The college expressed fears about potential risks to students, particularly those from immigrant or trans backgrounds, at the U.S.
Quebec Colleges Reconsidering U.S. Trips Amid Safety,Political Concerns
Table of Contents
- Quebec Colleges Reconsidering U.S. Trips Amid Safety,Political Concerns
- Quebec Colleges Reconsidering U.S. Trips Amid Safety, Political Concerns
- Why are Quebec Colleges Canceling or Re-evaluating Trips to the U.S.?
- Which Colleges Have Suspended or Rerouted Trips?
- What is the National Federation of Teachers Doing?
- What Specific Incidents Are Cited as Concerns?
- What is the Quebec Government’s Stance on this Issue?
- Are All Colleges Canceling trips to the U.S.?
- What are the Key Differences in Approach Among Colleges?
- What is the Impact on Students?
- What next?
Posted at 5:00 a.m. EDT
Montreal—What was once considered a routine educational destination, the United States is now viewed with increasing apprehension by some quebec colleges. Ahuntsic College recently announced the suspension of all trips to the U.S., citing security concerns.
“We are taken aback,” said Sophie Roy,a professor who had been planning a study trip to Louisiana for weeks. “The idea that it’s no longer a safe place for students… it’s disconcerting.”
The college expressed fears about potential risks to students, particularly those from immigrant or trans backgrounds, at the U.S. border. Concerns included the possibility of repression or detention by customs officials.
Faced with what they perceive as the unpredictability of the U.S. government, Ahuntsic College opted to reroute all planned trips, including a popular natural sciences stay in Hawaii focused on biodiversity.
Calls for Province-Wide Action
The National Federation of Teachers and Teachers of Quebec (FNEEQ) is urging all CEGEPs (colleges) to follow suit. The federation is also calling on the Quebec government to send a “clear message” to educational institutions regarding the risks of travel to the U.S.
It is to a point where there are real risks.
Yves de Repentigny, vice-president, Cégep de la fneeq grouping
De Repentigny cited the case of a canadian entrepreneur detained by U.S. customs for 12 days due to a visa issue, as reported by multiple news outlets in March. He also referenced a French researcher who was reportedly stopped at the border after critical messages about the Trump administration were found on his electronic devices.
The office of Quebec’s Minister of Higher Education,Pascale Déry,told The Press that the decision to suspend trips rests with individual CEGEPs.
Political Statements Through Travel Policies
Other institutions are citing political motivations for thier decisions to avoid travel to the United States.
Cégep de Saint-Laurent, such as, pointed to the trade war initiated by the Trump administration as a key factor.
“We wanted to take a stand and send a message to our community,” said Gabrielle C. Poirier, deputy director of student and communications services.
CEGEP will no longer allow trips to the south of the border, including travel as part of sports competitions.
However, trips authorized before March may still proceed, according to Poirier.
Jennifer Beaudry, president of the Syndicate of Professors of the Cégep de Saint-Laurent, welcomed the decision. “We are an establishment that defends academic freedom, cooperation, inclusion. we cannot do business with a government that is repressive in this regard,” she said.
Some Colleges Maintain U.S. Travel
“I feel a great sadness for students who will not be able to live this experience,” said Sophie Roy, reflecting on the canceled trips.
Roy noted the abrupt shift in Canada-U.S. relations, recalling a triumphant trip to Louisiana with students in January to study social inequalities. A second edition was planned for next winter.
Several CEGEPs are proceeding with previously scheduled trips due to long-standing reservations.
Montmorency College, for example, has two trips planned to the U.S. in the coming months, including a United Nations simulation in New York.
“Considering that this type of activity has been preparing for a long time and in order not to penalize short-term students, these trips are maintained,” the college said in a statement.
However, Montmorency College is also re-evaluating future activities in the United States.
Cégep Marie-Victorin is also exploring alternative destinations for next year, while maintaining its planned trip south of the border in june.
“We are in a standby position for this next departure and continue to observe the evolution of the situation from a security point of view,” the college stated.
Quebec Colleges Reconsidering U.S. Trips Amid Safety, Political Concerns
Welcome! This article explores the recent decisions by some Quebec colleges (CEGEPs) to reconsider or suspend student trips to the United States due to safety and political concerns.Let’s dive in.
Why are Quebec Colleges Canceling or Re-evaluating Trips to the U.S.?
Several factors are contributing to the shift,making the U.S.a less appealing destination for Quebec college educational trips.
Safety concerns: Some colleges express fears about potential risks to students, especially those from immigrant or trans backgrounds, when crossing the U.S. border. These include concerns about possible detention or repression by customs officials.
Political Motivations: Some institutions are citing political objections related to specific U.S. government policies, such as trade measures initiated by the Trump management, as a reason to avoid travel.
Which Colleges Have Suspended or Rerouted Trips?
Ahuntsic College has suspended all trips to the U.S., citing security concerns and opting to reroute previously planned trips, including a natural sciences stay in Hawaii. Additionally, Cégep de Saint-Laurent has decided to stop all trips south of the border, including those for sports competitions.
What is the National Federation of Teachers Doing?
The National Federation of Teachers and Teachers of Quebec (FNEEQ) is urging all CEGEPs to follow suit and is also calling on the Quebec government to send a “clear message” to educational institutions regarding the risks of travel to the U.S.
What Specific Incidents Are Cited as Concerns?
Several incidents have raised concerns:
The case of a Canadian entrepreneur detained by U.S. customs for 12 days as of a visa issue.
A French researcher who was stopped at the border after critical messages about the Trump administration were found on his electronic devices.
What is the Quebec Government’s Stance on this Issue?
The office of Quebec’s Minister of Higher Education, Pascale Déry, has stated that the decision to suspend trips rests with individual CEGEPs.
Are All Colleges Canceling trips to the U.S.?
No, not all colleges have canceled or suspended trips. Some are still proceeding with previously scheduled trips,especially those with long-standing reservations. Such as, Montmorency College has two trips planned in the coming months, including a United Nations simulation in New York. However, Montmorency College is also re-evaluating future activities in the United States. Cégep Marie-Victorin is exploring choice destinations for next year while maintaining a planned trip south of the border for now.
What are the Key Differences in Approach Among Colleges?
Here’s a table summarizing the key differences:
| College | Current Travel policy | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Ahuntsic College | Suspended all U.S. trips, rerouting to other destinations. | security concerns for students,particularly those from immigrant or trans backgrounds. |
| Cégep de Saint-Laurent | no longer allows trips to the U.S., including sports competitions. | Political motivations related to the trade war initiated by the Trump administration. |
| Montmorency College | Maintaining previously scheduled trips; re-evaluating future activities. | Long-standing preparations for upcoming trips; also evaluating for future. |
| Cégep Marie-Victorin | Maintaining planned trip in June; exploring alternative destinations for next year. | monitoring the situation; security concerns. |
What is the Impact on Students?
some students are disappointed about trip cancellations. One professor, Sophie Roy, expressed sadness, reflecting on a canceled trip to Louisiana, which was planned to study social inequalities.
What next?
The situation is dynamic. Colleges are carefully observing the evolution of the situation regarding border security and political developments. The National Federation of Teachers’ call for province-wide action suggests this issue is likely to remain relevant.