Resources for Travelers

International Travelers

It is best practice to carry the following documents with you when you are traveling in the U.S.:

1. A valid passport
2. Your current U.S. visa
3. Your I-20 form with a valid signature (for international students, i.e., students currently enrolled in an institution located in the United States)
4. A letter from LASA confirming the invitation to participate in the Congress.
5. Proof of your hotel confirmation and ability to financially support yourself in the United States (such as a letter from your current employer or bank account statement).

While digital copies can be stored on your phone, it is strongly recommended to carry hard copies of these documents. Digital documentation is not always accepted, and presenting your digital copies on a device to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent makes that device subject to search.

Additional Resources

1. U.S. Border Patrol and Customs Information Search Authority.
2. U.S. Border Patrol and Customs Information on the search of electronic devices at the border.
3. Electronic Frontier Foundation information on digital privacy at the U.S. Border, with a long version and a short version of guidance for travelers.
4. ACLU’s Border Zone Rights Guide.
5. For LGBT2QIA+ travelers, in particular, gender-nonconforming and trans travelers, resources on flying to and in the U.S. from Advocates 4 Trans Equality
6. U.S. Border Patrol and Customs Information – Top Ten Travel Tips.
7. Information on international travel rights and responsibilities (Spanish Version) in the U.S. from CLEAR, the free legal assistance program at the City University of New York.

Resources for Congress Participants

It is best practice to carry at all times the following documents with you during your visit to the U.S.:

1. A valid passport
2. LASA Congress name badge
3. Return flight ticket.

While LASA has made every effort to provide accurate information to help LASA2025 participants arrive safely and enjoy their stay, we cannot guarantee entry into the United States.

Although LASA is not able to provide legal advice, we offer the following practical tips to guide your interaction with immigration officers at the port of entry or elsewhere:

• Be honest and transparent in your responses.
• Clearly explain the purpose of your visit and the duration of your stay.
• Remain respectful and courteous at all times.
• Remember that immigration officers may inspect your phone, laptop, or other electronic devices for information that could potentially make you excludable from the United States.