New U.S. travel restrictions worry Canadian dual citizens from 12 banned countries, raising legal and safety concerns over cross-border access.
Dual Citizens in Canada Grapple with U.S. Entry Uncertainty
As of Monday, a new U.S. travel ban has taken effect, restricting entry to citizens from 12 countries, including the Republic of Congo, Haiti, and Iran. Among those affected are Canadian dual nationals who fear the policy may impact their ability to cross the border—even with a Canadian passport.
Ottawa Resident Fears Disruption to Family and Business
Christian Kodia, president of the Congolese-Brazzaville Community of Ottawa-Gatineau, is among those alarmed. He frequently visits the United States for family, business, and community events. Now, uncertainty clouds every trip. “I travel every weekend. It’s going to be difficult,” Kodia told Radio-Canada, anticipating a “huge, negative impact.”
Trump Administration Cites Security, Overstay Concerns
U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration justified the ban on national security grounds. Affected countries include Afghanistan, Chad, and Sudan, with officials citing terrorism links, lack of central governance, and high visa overstay rates. For Congolese visitors, the U.S. reported a 29.6% overstay rate for tourists and 35% for students.
Legal Experts Warn of Discretionary Border Enforcement
Ottawa immigration lawyer Betsy Kane noted the legal ambiguity facing dual nationals. “It’s not even about what’s legal,” she said, warning Canadian employers against risking staff detainment. U.S. border agents have discretionary authority to deny entry, search devices, or detain travellers—even those holding valid Canadian documents.
Haitian Community Voices Frustration Over Lack of Advocacy
Darlène Lozis, a Haitian community organizer in Gatineau, expressed doubt that Haiti’s unstable government could counter U.S. actions. “If we had a strong government, they could deal with Trump,” she said. “But he’ll keep doing whatever he wants.”
Canada Issues Travel Warning as Risk of Scrutiny Grows
Global Affairs Canada updated its U.S. travel advisory in April, warning Canadians to expect increased scrutiny, including potential electronic device searches. While U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra called such incidents “isolated,” many Canadian dual citizens fear the evolving policy could expose them to unexpected risks at the border.
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