The Muslim Ban

As many of you know, I've been avoiding travel to the US since the beginning of the year. Turns out that might have been a very good idea. The SCOTUS has just allowed the latest version of the Trump administration's "travel ban" to take effect. I don't understand how this is even considered constitutional in the US, let alone the right thing to do, but it's the current reality. Unfortunately, the effects of this bill don't stop with citizens of these 8 countries immigrating to the United States.

When you institutionalize racism like this, there's a raft of second order effects. That's why I've been avoiding travel to the US. Sure, I'm a Canadian citizen, born and raised in Canada - heck I'm more Buddhist than Muslim at this point, but here's the thing: try explaining that to a border guard. All they'll see is some brown guy with a muslim-sounding name trying to get into the country.

Don't believe me? It's happening already:

• Ottawa author detained by U.S. border guards says system 'broken'
• Canadian woman en route to Vermont spa denied entry to U.S., told she needs immigrant visa
• Canadians turned away from U.S. border after being questioned about their religion

The woman in the first story is just like me: born and raised in Canada to immigrant parents - and she's a known author! If it happened to her, what would happen to me?

Yes, it's a low probability event, but one with high severity. I'm not going to put myself at risk unless there's a significant benefit, and right now the risk is going up with no benefits to compensate. I've already missed a variety of training and a Diversity and Inclusion summit because there just wasn't enough benefit to justify the risk. So as much as I love my friends and colleagues in the US, it's not likely that I'm going to visit you any time soon.