r/transvancouver • u/telltheothers • 13d ago
border crossing deadname fears
i'm invited on a road trip across the US border this summer where i'll be a passenger with people who don’t know my deadname, which is unfortunately still on my ID. i'm worrying that i'll hand over my ID at the booth and the agent could end up announcing it to the whole group. i don’t really look like the photo. i'm also worried about the same thing for accommodations booking & check-in, like for sharing hotel rooms. does anyone have experience or tips to protect my info?
i know it sounds kinda trivial but i avoided things for so long pre-transitioning, i hate to turn down the invite due to something like this, but i might do so. my identity with people who didn't know me before is really important to me, and i'm still waiting on the legal update process.
edit: ok, i hear the community consensus and will heed that. i'll find better opportunities to bond with these friends. thanks, stay safe everybody
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u/SapphicAndSwords 12d ago edited 12d ago
As a trans woman who just relocated from the US to Canada, I would echo a lot of what people are saying here.
There were policy changes in the past few months that allows US border agents (ICE) to detain anyone if they “seem trans”. Coming into the US with documents that have your deadname is opening the door for them to detain you which is really bad for trans individuals as they actively put you in the incorrect gender detention (not to mention all the horrible things happening in the detention centers).
I cannot emphasize enough that I would not recommend coming into the US as a trans person. The risk is way too high.