Why Canadians Should Avoid Traveling to the U.S. in 2025: Border Risks, Detentions & Surveillance

1. Executive Summary

Traveling to the United States has always been a routine experience for many Canadians—whether for business, tourism, or family visits. However, under Donald Trump’s second term, the security environment has shifted dramatically, turning routine travel into a potential legal and personal risk. The United States is no longer a safe travel destination for Canadians.

Since Trump’s return to office, his administration has expanded immigration enforcement, implemented arbitrary detention policies, and increased the use of national security justifications to deny entry or detain foreign travelers—even those with valid visas or green cards. Canadians are now facing the risk of detention, deportation, and financial scrutiny at U.S. border crossings and airports.

Key Risks for Canadians Traveling to the U.S.:

• Arbitrary detentions & deportations – Canadians and other foreign nationals have been detained for weeks without cause, often without access to legal representation or consular assistance.
• Expanded border surveillance & data collection – U.S. border agents now routinely seize and scan digital devices, track financial records, and scrutinize social media activity.
• Increased hostility in U.S.-Canada relations – Trump has falsely claimed Canada is a fentanyl supplier, escalating trade tensions and justifying economic coercion, which may trickle down to affect individual travelers.
• Deteriorating legal protections for non-Americans – Under new policies, even green card holders have been detained and interrogated, while visa holders have seen their travel status revoked without warning.

Recent Cases of Canadians & Other Foreigners Detained Without Cause:

• Jasmine Mooney (Canada) – Actress detained for 12 days by ICE despite having proper documentation.
• Fabian Schmidt (Germany) – Green card holder detained and denied medical access, requiring hospitalization.
• Rebecca Burke (UK) – British citizen detained at the border due to a minor visa mix-up.
• Hundreds of Venezuelan migrants – Deported and sent to Salvadoran prisons under Trump’s Alien Enemies Act directive.

With Trump’s administration framing foreigners as security risks, the risk of arbitrary enforcement against Canadians is at an all-time high.

Key Takeaways:

✅ If you must travel, prioritize entering the U.S. via pre-clearance facilities in Canada.
✅ Encrypt all digital devices and minimize personal data exposure before crossing the border.
✅ Never follow a U.S. officer to secondary inspection at a land border—once there, you have no legal rights.
✅ Avoid discussing political opinions or engaging in unnecessary questioning with border agents.
✅ If detained, immediately request consular assistance from the Canadian government and do NOT sign anything without legal counsel.

Bottom Line:

Trump’s second-term policies have weaponized border enforcement against foreign nationals. Canadians now face heightened risks of detainment, deportation, and invasive surveillance.

Until the legal landscape shifts, the safest course of action is to AVOID U.S. travel whenever possible.

2. Canada-U.S. Relations Under Trump: A Hostile Environment

Under Trump’s second term, Canada and the United States are no longer close allies in the traditional sense. The long-standing diplomatic relationship has been eroded by economic warfare, false security narratives, and overt hostility from Trump’s administration.

Trump has repeatedly attacked Canada, calling it “one of the nastiest countries to negotiate with” and falsely claiming that Canada is responsible for the U.S. fentanyl crisis. These narratives are not just political rhetoric—they have real consequences for Canadian travelers.

2.1 Economic Warfare & Trade Retaliation

The U.S.-Canada trade relationship is now defined by hostile economic measures, including:

• 25% tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, justified under national security claims.
• Restrictions on Canadian pharmaceutical exports, allegedly to stop fentanyl trafficking.
• Increased scrutiny of Canadian financial transactions, with Canadian business travelers facing unexpected asset freezes and secondary inspections.

Trump’s weaponization of trade disputes means that even individual travelers—especially those engaged in business or finance—could be targeted at the border under economic enforcement measures.

💡 Risk Factor: If Canada is treated as an economic adversary, its citizens may be subjected to heightened scrutiny, entry denials, and financial targeting.

2.2 Trump’s Fentanyl Lies & The National Security Justification for Canadian Detentions

One of Trump’s most dangerous and false claims is that Canada is a primary fentanyl supplier to the United States.

• Fact: The vast majority of illicit fentanyl in the U.S. comes from China and Mexico, NOT Canada.
• Reality: Trump’s disinformation campaign has given U.S. agencies a new excuse to treat Canadian travelers as security risks.

By framing Canada as a national security threat, Trump’s administration has justified an increase in arbitrary detentions and deportations.

🚨 What This Means for Travelers:

• Canadians may now be flagged as potential fentanyl traffickers, even if they have no connection to the drug trade.
• Business travelers, especially in pharmaceuticals, finance, and cross-border trade, could be subjected to additional surveillance and asset freezes.
• Travelers with prior drug use history (including cannabis) may be classified as "security risks," even if their record is clean.

💡 Risk Factor: U.S. border authorities now have broad discretion to detain Canadians under fentanyl-related suspicions, even with no evidence.

2.3 Increased Hostility & Border Crackdowns

The anti-Canadian sentiment within the Trump administration has led to new enforcement priorities, including:

• Higher rates of entry denials for Canadian travelers based on vague "security concerns."
• CBP officers given greater discretion to reject travelers based on social media activity, political views, or travel history.
• A push for stronger U.S. jurisdiction over Canadian travelers, leading to increased detentions, surveillance, and deportations.

🚨 What This Means for Travelers:

• Canadians should expect longer wait times, more invasive questioning, and an increased risk of secondary inspections.
• Any previous interactions with U.S. border agents (e.g., past refusals, visa issues, or extended stays) could lead to being permanently barred.
• Canadian citizens of Middle Eastern, South Asian, or Latin American descent may face additional racial profiling under fentanyl and security-related justifications.

💡 Risk Factor: The U.S. no longer treats Canadian travelers as low-risk visitors. The burden is now on the traveler to prove they are not a “security concern.”

Conclusion: Canada Is No Longer Considered a Trusted U.S. Ally

Trump’s hostility toward Canada is now affecting individual travelers. With Canada being falsely labeled as a security and trade threat, Canadians are being subjected to more aggressive enforcement, financial scrutiny, and detentions.

🚨 What You Need to Know:
✅ Even if you have traveled to the U.S. before without issue, new policies mean you could now be denied entry.
✅ Business travelers should assume that financial transactions will be scrutinized under trade enforcement policies.
✅ Canadians may face political profiling, surveillance, and national security-based detentions.

💡 The safest choice? Avoid U.S. travel until Canada-U.S. relations stabilize.

3. The Rise of Arbitrary Detentions of Foreign Nationals in the U.S.

One of the most alarming developments under Trump’s second term is the rapid expansion of arbitrary detentions at the U.S. border. Canadians, along with other foreign nationals, are now at increased risk of being detained for vague security reasons, subjected to extended interrogations, and even deported without due process.

With Trump invoking the Alien Enemies Act, his administration has effectively given federal law enforcement agencies unchecked authority to detain and deport non-citizens, including visitors and permanent residents.

3.1 Recent Cases of Canadians & Other Foreigners Detained Without Just Cause

🚨 Jasmine Mooney (Canada) – 12 Days in ICE Custody

• A Canadian actress and entrepreneur, Mooney was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) despite having proper visa documentation.
• Held in detention for 12 days, shackled, and denied basic information about her case.
• No criminal record, no security flags—yet she was treated as a potential threat.
• Mooney’s case proves that even Canadians with legal status are now vulnerable.

🚨 Fabian Schmidt (Germany) – Green Card Holder Detained & Hospitalized

• German-born U.S. permanent resident detained at Boston Logan Airport while re-entering the country.
• Subjected to aggressive interrogation and denied access to required medication, leading to medical emergency and hospitalization.
• Despite legally living in the U.S., he was treated as an “inadmissible alien” and nearly deported.
• Takeaway: Even green card holders are no longer safe from arbitrary detainment.

🚨 Irish Nationals in Boston – Falsely Accused of Passport Fraud

• Two Irish citizens detained at Logan Airport, with no prior legal issues.
• U.S. authorities claimed “passport fraud” without presenting any evidence.
• One was immediately deported, while the other spent several days in custody before release.
• These cases show how foreign travelers are being targeted under vague pretexts.

🚨 Rebecca Burke (UK) – Detained for a Minor Visa Issue

• British cartoonist traveling to the U.S. was detained for weeks over a minor visa mix-up.
• Despite having valid documentation, she was placed in a holding facility without proper legal representation.
• Prolonged detention with no clear legal recourse.

🚨 Hundreds of Venezuelan Migrants – Deported & Imprisoned Without Trial

• The most extreme case yet—Trump’s administration forcibly deported 238 Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador.
• Claimed they were gang members (without evidence) and sent them to a Salvadoran mega-prison.
• Direct violation of international human rights law.
• This sets a dangerous precedent for all foreign travelers—Trump’s government can now justify mass deportations without due process.

3.2 Legal Changes Enabling the Crackdown

🚨 The Expansion of the Alien Enemies Act

• Originally intended for wartime use, Trump has invoked this law to bypass due process and expand the federal government’s power to detain and deport non-citizens without formal charges.
• Allows DHS and ICE to classify any non-citizen as a “threat” and hold them indefinitely.
• Risk: This law was previously used to intern Japanese-Americans in WWII—it is now being weaponized against foreign travelers.

🚨 New DHS Directives Expanding Border Detention

• Trump’s new policies allow CBP officers to detain travelers based on suspicion alone.
• No requirement to prove actual security risks before placing someone in custody.
• Consular access can be delayed—meaning Canadians can be held for days before the Canadian government is even notified.

🚨 Increased Targeting of Activists & High-Risk Travelers

• Trump’s administration has authorized DHS to track “foreign political agitators.”
• Activists, journalists, and individuals critical of U.S. policy are at higher risk of detainment.
• Social media screening is now standard—border officials may review past posts to justify a refusal of entry.

Conclusion: Arbitrary Detention is Now a Real Threat for Canadians

🚨 What You Need to Know:
✅ Having a valid visa or green card does NOT protect you.
✅ Detainment can happen for vague “security” reasons, with no access to legal representation.
✅ Social media activity and political opinions may be used against you.
✅ Even if you have traveled to the U.S. before without issue, these new policies increase your risk.

💡 The safest option? Avoid U.S. travel whenever possible.

4. The Legal & Security Risks for Canadians Traveling to the U.S.

Trump’s second-term policies have turned U.S. border security into a high-risk environment for Canadians.

• Expanded detentions, increased surveillance, and financial scrutiny now apply to all foreign travelers.
• Even Canadians with valid visas or past travel history are at risk of being detained, deported, or refused entry.

With U.S. authorities now treating Canada as a national security risk, travelers can expect longer wait times, increased questioning, and arbitrary enforcement actions.

4.1 Increased Risk of Entry Denials & Border Harassment

🚨 Higher Rates of Denied Entry for Canadians

• Canadians are being turned away at the U.S. border at a record rate—even those with valid visas or previous travel history.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers now have expanded discretion to deny entry for vague reasons, including:
  • “Security concerns” based on travel history or personal background.
  • “Economic risks” if the traveler is self-employed or lacks strong U.S. ties.
  • "Moral character" assessments that include past social media activity.

🚨 Canadian Business Travelers at Risk

• Business travelers now face additional financial scrutiny.
• Executives in finance, technology, and trade industries are being flagged for "national security concerns.”
• Business visas are being revoked at a higher rate due to ongoing U.S.-Canada trade tensions.

💡 Takeaway: Even if you have visited the U.S. many times before, your next trip could be different.

4.2 Arbitrary Detentions, ICE Holds & Visa Revocations

🚨 Canadians Can Be Detained Indefinitely

• Once a Canadian is detained by ICE or CBP, they have limited legal protections.
• Detainment can last for days or weeks before consular access is granted.
• There is no guaranteed right to legal representation for non-Americans in custody.

🚨 Increased Visa Revocations

• Student, work, and business visas are being revoked without warning.
• Canadians with existing visas may arrive in the U.S. only to find that their entry is denied.
• Even green card holders have been placed in ICE detention.

💡 Takeaway: The legal protections Canadians once relied on are no longer secure.

4.3 Increased Surveillance & Data Collection at U.S. Borders

🚨 Your Devices & Online Activity Are Now Border Security Risks

• CBP agents can seize your phone, laptop, or tablet without a warrant.
• Social media posts, private emails, and personal records can be searched at the border.
• If flagged, you can be placed on a watchlist without notification.

🚨 Risk of Being Labeled a Security Threat

• Canadians who have criticized Trump or U.S. policies online may be denied entry.
• Financial transactions, travel history, and business affiliations may be used to justify further investigation.

💡 Takeaway: Any personal data you carry across the border is vulnerable.

Conclusion: Every Canadian Traveler is Now Considered a Potential Risk

🚨 What You Need to Know:
✅ Border officers can deny entry with little explanation.
✅ Business travelers face financial scrutiny and possible asset freezes.
✅ Visa holders are being detained and deported at higher rates.
✅ Your personal data can be seized and searched without cause.

💡 The safest course of action? Avoid U.S. travel whenever possible.

5. Worst-Case Scenarios for Canadian Travelers

The U.S. border is no longer a routine checkpoint—it is now a high-risk security zone.

• Canadians can be detained without cause, denied consular access, and even deported.
• Financial assets, digital privacy, and personal safety are all at risk under Trump’s second-term policies.

If you cross into the U.S., you must be prepared for the worst-case scenarios.

5.1 Detained Without Cause, No Consular Access

🚨 You Can Be Held Indefinitely Without Explanation

• Even with valid travel documents, Canadians can be detained without immediate legal recourse.
• The U.S. does not have to provide a reason for extended border detentions.
• Consular access can be delayed—meaning the Canadian government may not be notified immediately.

🚨 What Happens If You Are Detained?

• You can be held in ICE facilities or airport holding cells for days or weeks.
• You may not have access to legal counsel.
• Refusing to answer CBP or ICE questions could result in extended detention.

💡 Takeaway: Once detained, you lose almost all rights.

5.2 Deported or Placed in ICE Holding Centers

🚨 You Can Be Deported for Vague or False Reasons

• Canadians have already been placed in ICE detention and deported under national security claims.
• Trump’s administration has expanded the criteria for expedited removals, meaning you could be deported without a trial.

🚨 What Happens If You Are Sent to ICE Custody?

• Conditions in ICE facilities are known to be harsh, overcrowded, and unsafe.
• Deportation proceedings can be immediate or take weeks to process.
• Even green card holders and legal visa holders have been detained.

💡 Takeaway: Once you enter ICE custody, you have no control over your case.

5.3 Subjected to Asset Freezes or Financial Blacklisting

🚨 Business Travelers & High-Net-Worth Individuals Are at Risk

• U.S. authorities can freeze financial assets under “national security” justifications.
• Travelers flagged as “economic threats” could have business visas revoked.

🚨 What Happens If Your Finances Are Targeted?

• Your ability to access U.S. financial institutions could be restricted.
• Your business dealings with American companies could be scrutinized.
• Your accounts could be flagged for suspicious activity without proof of wrongdoing.

💡 Takeaway: If you rely on U.S. financial systems, your economic security is at risk.

Conclusion: Every Canadian Traveler Must Prepare for the Worst

🚨 What You Need to Know:
✅ You can be detained without immediate access to legal help.
✅ Deportations are now happening faster, often without hearings.
✅ Financial and business travelers may face unexpected asset freezes.

💡 If you must travel, have contingency plans in place. But the safest option? Avoid U.S. travel entirely.

6. Recommendations for Canadians: Travel at Your Own Risk

If traveling to the U.S. is unavoidable, Canadians must take extreme precautions to protect themselves from detention, surveillance, and financial targeting.

Even if you have visited the U.S. many times before, Trump’s second-term policies have changed the rules.

💡 The best way to stay safe? Avoid U.S. travel altogether.
🚨 If you must go, follow these security measures to reduce your risk.

6.1 Assess Your Personal Risk Before Traveling

🚨 Who Is at Highest Risk?

• Anyone with past visa denials, immigration issues, or extended U.S. stays.
• Business travelers in finance, pharmaceuticals, tech, or trade industries.
• Activists, journalists, or individuals critical of Trump or U.S. policies.
• Canadians with Middle Eastern, South Asian, or Latin American backgrounds.

🚨 Before You Travel, Ask Yourself:

✅ Do I absolutely need to go?
✅ What would happen if I was detained for days or weeks?
✅ Am I prepared to have my phone, finances, and online activity scrutinized?
✅ Do I have a legal or diplomatic contact in case of an emergency?

💡 If you are unsure, reconsider your travel plans.

6.2 Essential Travel Security Precautions

🚨 Before You Leave Canada
✅ Use Pre-Clearance Facilities at Canadian Airports

• In pre-clearance zones, you can withdraw your application to enter the U.S.
• Once at a land border, you have no legal rights and can be detained indefinitely.
  🚨 Do NOT follow a CBP officer into secondary screening at a land border crossing.

✅ Encrypt & Secure All Digital Devices

• Delete unnecessary files and sensitive data from your phone, laptop, or tablet.
• Use a secure messaging app (like Signal) instead of unencrypted platforms.
• If asked to unlock your phone, politely refuse unless legally required.

✅ Limit Your Personal Documentation

• Do not carry work contracts, financial statements, or politically sensitive material.
• Bring only the documents necessary for your trip.

🚨 If You Are Stopped or Detained
✅ Stay silent and ask for Canadian consular assistance immediately.
✅ Do not sign anything without legal advice.
✅ Avoid answering questions beyond basic entry details.

💡 Assume that anything you say or do will be used against you.

6.3 Alternatives to U.S. Travel

If you frequently travel for business, tourism, or layovers, consider these alternatives:

🚨 Business Travel

• Redirect international business meetings to neutral locations (Europe, Asia).
• Use virtual meetings instead of in-person U.S. travel.

🚨 Tourism & Leisure

• Choose alternative destinations like Europe, Mexico, or the Caribbean.
• If necessary, use layovers outside the U.S. (e.g., Toronto to London via Iceland instead of New York).

🚨 Personal & Family Visits

• Consider meeting at a third-party location instead of entering the U.S.
• Ensure you have a backup plan in case of sudden entry denial.

💡 If travel is not essential, it is safest to stay in Canada or choose a different destination.

Conclusion: Traveling to the U.S. Is Now a High-Risk Decision

🚨 What You Need to Know Before Entering the U.S.:
✅ If detained, you could be held indefinitely without explanation.
✅ Your digital devices and personal information can be seized and searched.
✅ Business travelers face financial scrutiny and potential asset freezes.
✅ Activists, journalists, and individuals critical of Trump may be denied entry.

💡 If you must travel, take extreme precautions—but the safest option is to avoid the U.S. entirely.

7. Conclusion: The U.S. is No Longer a Safe Travel Destination for Canadians

Under Trump’s second-term policies, traveling to the United States has become a serious security risk for Canadians. Arbitrary detentions, expanded surveillance, and financial targeting are no longer isolated incidents—they are now standard practices at U.S. border crossings.

For decades, Canadians could freely cross into the U.S. without fear of detention or harassment. Today, that era is over.

🚨 Key Takeaways for Canadians Considering U.S. Travel

✅ Having a valid visa or past travel history does NOT protect you from entry denial.
✅ CBP and ICE now have expanded authority to detain non-citizens indefinitely.
✅ Social media activity, political opinions, and financial records may be used against you.
✅ Even Canadian business travelers are now being flagged for national security concerns.
✅ If detained, you may be held for days or weeks without legal representation.

🚨 The New Reality: Every Canadian Traveler is Considered a Potential Risk

Trump’s administration has falsely labeled Canada as a fentanyl supplier and economic adversary.

• These narratives are not just political rhetoric—they are now influencing law enforcement actions at the border.
• Canadians must assume they will be treated with suspicion, interrogated aggressively, and potentially denied entry.

If detained, you have limited legal protections, no guaranteed consular access, and no right to a lawyer.

🚨 What Should You Do?

✅ If travel is unavoidable, always enter via pre-clearance facilities in Canada.
✅ Encrypt and secure all digital devices before traveling.
✅ Never follow a CBP officer into secondary screening at a land border—once there, you have NO rights.
✅ If detained, request consular assistance and do NOT sign any documents.
✅ For business travelers, consider alternatives to U.S. travel whenever possible.

🚨 Final Warning: Travel to the U.S. Is Now a High-Risk Decision

💡 Until U.S. policies change, Canadians should assume that traveling to the United States comes with significant risks.
💡 If you can avoid it, do so. The safest option is to stay in Canada.

The Canadian government should issue a formal travel advisory warning citizens about these risks.

🚨 If you must go, be prepared—but understand that you may not come back as easily as you expect.