Safety is a top priority for the AJS. The AJS is working with the hotel and the local police to maintain a variety of security protocols including that people at the conference have registered and shown identification.
Recent events also mean that conference participants who are traveling from abroad or who are more susceptible to profiling may want to take extra precautions.
We advise that international travelers print out and carry the following documentation during travel (including when traveling within the US), along with a valid passport:
• Visa/documentation (dependent on class of admission)
• Proof of return transportation (departure ticket from US)
• 2025 AJS Annual Conference invitation letter (for conference participants, including presenters, respondents, chairs, and moderators)
• Proof of lodging (hotel accommodations for full stay in US)
• Contact information for your family and your attorney (if you have one)
We also recommend that all international travelers review the guidance provided by their university and country of citizenship prior traveling to the conference.
Please note that, even with valid travel documents, entry to the US is not guaranteed and is at the discretion of border agents. International travelers should be prepared for increased delays and scrutiny, including questioning and/or inspection, at the US border.
• Border Search of Electronic Devices at Ports of Entry (US Customs and Border Protection)
• Information on international travelers’ rights and responsibilities in the US (CLEAR, the free legal assistance program at CUNY)
• Digital Privacy at the US Border: Protecting the Data On Your Devices (Electronic Frontier Foundation)
International visitors as well as others from vulnerable communities may find the US State Department's own advice about traveling abroad for “race and ethnicity travel” may be useful for traveling within the US. They note:
“... travelers may face more risk in some destinations due to their real or perceived ethnicity, national origin, or race. This risk includes racial or ethnic profiling, detentions, questioning, and ID checks… government officials may also make incorrect assumptions about your citizenship based simply on appearance… When planning, take into account views on ethnicity, nationality, and race.”
If you are an international visitor or subject to profiling, you may want to pay attention to the DC Metropolitan police recommendations for when out and about in the city. These tips are useful in general for when traveling in large cities in the US:
• Always be aware of your surroundings.
• Do not allow yourself to be distracted by your cell phone. If you’re wearing headphones, keep the volume low enough that you can hear someone approaching you.
• Try to travel with others and walk in populated and well-lit areas.
• Let a family member or friend know your destination and your estimated time of arrival. Consider sharing your phone location with a trusted friend or family member (or conference buddy!).
• Check on the availability of a tracking system for your electronic devices.
The AJS is not able to provide legal advice relating to international travel or Washington, DC safety. If you are unable to travel to the conference, please contact the AJS ajs@associationforjewishstudies.org so that sessions may be adjusted as needed.
