The federal government has revised its guidance for First Nations individuals traveling to the United States, advising them to carry a passport along with their status card when crossing the border. Previously, it was stated that First Nations people could enter the U.S. for various reasons, but now the guidelines have been updated.
The updated information on the government website indicates that First Nations individuals may potentially cross the Canada-U.S. border using their Secure Certificate of Indian Status, also known as a secure status card. However, the acceptance of these status cards is subject to the discretion of U.S. officials, and they are not considered valid travel documents for air travel.
Travelers using a status card for border crossings are strongly recommended to possess a valid passport and utilize a machine-readable secure status card. Since February 2019, all new and renewed secure status cards come with a machine-readable feature, as the government has phased out older versions of laminated or plastic status cards.
The government now strongly advises First Nations individuals traveling outside Canada to carry both a secure status card and a valid passport. Moreover, those registered under the Indian Act entering the U.S. for residency or work may be required to provide documentation proving their Indigenous heritage as per U.S. regulations.
The Assembly of First Nations has cautioned against border crossings into the U.S. due to recent immigration enforcement actions and detentions of Indigenous individuals. An incident involving a negative encounter with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) prompted the AFN to stress the importance of proper documentation when traveling across the border.
In response to reports of status card confiscation or damage in the U.S., Indigenous Services Canada has assured that emergency status cards can be issued promptly to affected individuals. Some First Nations, such as Mississauga First Nation, have advised their members against crossing the border following ICE’s detention of Indigenous individuals.
Various First Nations communities, including Six Nations of the Grand River and Garden River First Nation, have issued similar warnings. The Jay Treaty Alliance recommends that First Nations individuals carry essential documents like familial lineage letters, status cards, birth certificates, and government-issued photo IDs when crossing into the U.S.
Additionally, U.S. tribal members are encouraged to have their tribal IDs, state-issued IDs, driver’s licenses, or U.S. passports on hand when crossing the border.