Canada warns another group about travel to the U.S.

Ever since President Donald Trump began referring to Canada as the "51st state" and taking an increasingly antagonistic stance toward what was once America's closest ally, Canadian travel to the U.S. has been in a sustained nosedive.In the 13 months that have passed since the start of the current administration's term, the Canadian government has issued periodic travel advisories around crossing the border. These warnings have used a much stronger tone, given Trump's anti-immigrant crackdown.While a pre-2025 advisory simply said that an immigration official has complete authority to deny non-citizens the right to enter the country for any reason, the updated section of Global Affairs Canada now states that travelers need to "comply and be forthcoming in all interactions with border authorities” because failure to do so could lead to one being "detained while awaiting deportation."Canada warns First Nations and Native Americans crossing the border about President TrumpAdditional advisories have been issued to LGBTQ+ groups and, most recently, First Nations groups (this is the Canadian term for Native Americans or the country's Indigenous people).Under the laws of both Canada and the U.S., Indigenous people with a status card from either country can cross the border freely not just for tourism, but also for work, study, investment, retirement, and immigration. This law goes back to the Jay Treaty signed in 1794 and is in place because the border established during colonization crosses many ancestral territories of Indigenous groups.Related: Another country getting ready to scrap visas for AmericansNative people can legally cross the border with only their proof of status card when entering the U.S. by road or water (a passport is required for air travel). But the latest update to travel guidance issued by the Canadian government now states that First Nations members' Secure Certificate of Indian Status "may" be accepted, Canada's CBC News reported. The government emphasizes that acceptance of status cards is "entirely at the discretion of U.S. officials." The border between the U.S. and Canada is the longest in the world.Image source: Shutterstock "While you may have previously crossed the Canada-U.S. border"This comes after several reports of First Nations people with a status card being denied entry at a land crossing. In one case reported by The Travel, a person was asked to prove that he has at least 50% Native American ancestry, as stated in his status card."While you may have previously crossed the Canada-U.S. border with only a secure status card, [Indigenous Services Canada] now strongly recommends also carrying a valid passport when travelling [Canadian spelling] outside of Canada," the government website now reads.More Travel News:Airline to launch unusual new flight to Cayman Islands from the U.S.United Airlines CEO gives stark warning on Olympic GamesUnexpected country is most luxurious travel destination for 2026US government issues sudden warning on Switzerland travelThe Assembly of First Nations in Canada was the first to warn Indigenous people in Canada of these issues; Indigenous Services Canada also said it was aware of instances in which some travelers have had their status cards confiscated or purposely damaged by border officers.A number of First Nations alliances and advocacy groups in Canada, including the Six Nations of the Grand River and the Garden River First Nation, have issued similar warnings to their members, as well as statements expressing "strong condemnation" of this kind of treatment, given their legal right to enter the U.S. with a status card.Related: Two low-cost airlines lose licenses, all flights off