B.C. First Nation issues travel advisory to U.S. due to immigration crackdown

A B.C. First Nation has issued a travel advisory for the United States, citing concerns about ICE agents and potential issues with identification.

A First Nation on the west coast of Vancouver Island is warning its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the United States.

Huu-ay-aht First Nations issued a travel advisory on Friday, citing concerns about escalated U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“We have never issued a travel advisory (to the U.S.) in the past,” Huu-ay-aht Chief John Jack told CTV News.

“It’s something that we need to monitor. Our citizens exist across borders.”

Of the community’s roughly 900 citizens, Jack said up to 50 live in the United States.

Huu-ay-aht’s government is urging residents not to rely on Indigenous status cards as their sole source of identification when entering and travelling in the U.S.

When crossing the border at land and sea, Indigenous peoples in Canada can typically skip using a passport in favour of a status card.

“We are concerned that immigration enforcement isn’t entirely aware of how that works and therefore an enhanced status card or other types of identification may not be enough,” Jack said.

If travel is necessary, he’s advising people to carry their passports.

While he said Huu-ay-aht’s citizens have yet to run into any issues, a southern Alberta First Nation said the risk is real.

“It has come to our attention that individuals have been stopped and even detained by U.S. agents,” the Blood Tribe said in a travel advisory posted to its website last Wednesday.

“Both the Assembly of First Nations and Indigenous Services Canada have reported being aware that status cards have not been respected.”

A Vancouver-based security specialist said people should carry physical and digital copies of their identification when travelling in the United States.

“They should remain prepared to display it at the request of law enforcement officers,” said Jack Brown, a senior security coordinator with risk management company Healix International.

Brown said his team has seen a “significant uptick” in risk management requests regarding travel to the U.S.

“We’ve heard from many of our clients who share similar concerns and anxieties regarding U.S. travel in recent months,” he said.