Toronto – Arab Canada News

Lawyers in the field of immigration have urged Canadians with ties to Middle Eastern countries to reconsider their travel plans to the United States, amid increasing signs of tightening entry procedures for certain travelers, especially following the recent escalation of geopolitical tensions.

Michael Shierzak, an immigration lawyer based in Toronto, stated in remarks to CP24 that his office has received a growing number of reports concerning temporary detentions and lengthy interrogations of Canadian citizens of Middle Eastern descent upon their entry to the U.S., despite holding valid Canadian passports.

Shierzak added:

“This is not an officially declared policy, but there is a clear pattern of targeting that travelers should take into consideration, especially those with family ties or recent visits to countries like Iran, Lebanon, Syria, or Yemen.”

He confirmed that travelers may encounter unexpected delays or even temporary denials of entry, urging that legal consultation be sought in sensitive cases before traveling.

Background:

This warning comes amid rising tension between the United States and several countries, particularly after the tightening of security measures at the border by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration and the imposition of tariffs on a number of countries.

Previous periods of Trump's presidency saw executive orders issued that sparked widespread controversy regarding temporary travel bans from predominantly Muslim countries, before those policies faced legal challenges and extensive human rights criticisms.