What are your rights at the US border

Last February, Fadwa Alaoui was turned away at the Vermont border when she and her family tried to go to the United States to shop on a Saturday. The Moroccan-born Canadian citizen says she was asked about her religious beliefs, as well as her thoughts on US President Donald Trump, before she and her family were ultimately denied entry into the US.

Alaoui isn't the only one who has had trouble getting into the United States. In March, 30-year-old Manpreet Kooner was turned away at the border when she and her friends tried to head south for a weekend spa getaway. Both of her parents were born in India, but she was born in Canada and is a Canadian citizen with a valid passport. Kooner says that she  was told at Highgate Springs, Vt. that she needed an immigrant visa to get into the country. The two friends that she was traveling with (who happen to be white) were not singled out for any sort of special treatment.

The American Civil Liberties Union, whose mission it is to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the American Constitution guarantee everyone in the United States, is well aware of the fact that racial profiling is still very much a problem in the US. In fact, there's a dedicated page on their web site dealing with discrimination at the borders and ports of entry.

"It is illegal for law enforcement officers to perform any stops, searches, detentions, or removals based solely on your religion, race, national origin, gender, ethnicity, or political beliefs," the ACLU's web site states. "However, law enforcement officers at the airport and at the border generally have the authority to search all bags and to ask you questions about your citizenship and travel itinerary."

"To gain entry to the United States is a privilege and not a right," immigration lawyer Neil Drabkin told CJAD. "If there is an issue, you should ask the officer what the issue is, to be fully apprised of any concerns that they have."

With that in mind, how are travelers to decipher what sort of questions are permissible, and which aren't?

What sort of documentation is required to enter the United States?

If you're a Canadian citizen, you're going to need your Canadian passport.

If you're a foreign national who has status in Canada, then you may require a visa from the US consulate. To find out if your country of origin is one that requires you to apply for a visa, contact the US consulate in Montreal at 514-398-9695. You should apply for and obtain said visa prior to your trip, so plan ahead. If you do not require a visa, you may require an I-94 document, which can be issued at the border.

Are they allowed to go through your phone and social media accounts?

Yes, they are allowed to search your phone, tablet and laptop.

"They may suspect that you are going to the United States to work, and if you have a job offer on your laptop, that would corroborate their suspicion."

Are they allowed to ask you about your political or religious beliefs?

According the Drabkin, border agents cannot engage in this line of questioning.

"They shouldn't be asking you those types of questions. Your politics, your religion and what you think of the president is irrelevant to whether or not they should allow you to enter the United States."

What should you do if you feel you are being racially profiled, or discriminated against in some other way?

Ask to speak to a supervisor, and ask why you are being denied entry or asked questions that are not relevant. You can also ask for the reasons you are being refused entry in writing.

"They are required to provide you with a form that says that you have been refused, and they need to invoke a reason for that," says Drabkin.

If you are ultimately denied entry, once you are back in Canada, Drabkin suggests that you file a complaint with US Customs & Border Protection, bring your case to the media, and/or reach out to your local Member of Parliament, who can make representations on your behalf.

If you experience any problems getting into the United Sates, you can also contact the Canadian embassy 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 613-996-8885.