Montrealers bound for Trump inauguration turned away at border

CBC has spoken to two Montrealers who were refused entry to the U.S. en route to Washington for Donald Trump's U.S. presidential inauguration today and the women's march Saturday.

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Joseph Decunha,a McGill University physics student, said he hadtried to cross the border at Lacolle, Que., at 10p.m. ET Thursday.

"The first thing he asked us point blank is, 'Are you anti- or pro-Trump?'" Decunhaclaims he was asked by a border guard who eventually denied him entry.

SashaDyck, another Montrealer travelling with a different group of people, wasrefused entry to the U.S.at the same crossing, after telling agents he was hoping to attend the women's march.

Questioned about political views

Decunha, a Canadian citizen, was travelling with hispartner and a friend, who are American citizens.

He told CBC that he and his friends told the first border agent they met that they were planning to attend both the inauguration and the women'smarch. They were then sent for secondary processing.

Decunhasaid he had a "casual and jovial"conversation with the second border guard, who asked him about his political viewsand why he might disapprove ofTrump.

The guard alsoasked him if he hadever travelled to the Middle East or if he believed in violence.

Decunha describedhimself as a pacifist.

"I've never been denied entry at any border crossing before. I have no criminal record. I've never done anything illegal in Canada or in any other country," Decunha said.

Refused for 'administrative reasons'

He said the border guard, after conferring with a supervisor, told him his two American friends could enter the U.S., but he was being refused.

"They told me I was being denied entry for administrative reasons.According to the agent, my travelling to the United States for the purpose of protestingdidn't constitute a valid reason to cross," Decunha said.

Decunha said agents then took hisfingerprints and photograph, and told himthat if he tried again to enter the U.S. this weekend, he would be refused.

He and his friends turned around and came home to Montreal.

"It's concerning to see that at border crossings you're being screened for what your political beliefs are," Decunha said.

"It felt like, if we had been pro-Trump, we would have absolutely been allowed entry."

No comment on specific cases

Border guards are not obliged to give reasons for turning someone away.

In an email to CBC, Kristoffer Grogan, a public affairs officer with U.S.Customs and Border Protection, said he could not comment on the specifics of these cases due to the privacy act.

"All travellers seeking admission to the United States are subject to inspection," the email said. "As a visitor, stating the true purpose of your travel is a key piece of the inspection process."