Saturday, February 21, 2026 l Dalena News Desk
OTTAWA, CANADA — In a notable shift in cross-border travel guidance, the Government of Canada has updated its official travel advisory for Indigenous and First Nations people, strongly encouraging them to carry a valid passport when crossing into the United States, underscoring growing concerns about how travel documents are being accepted by U.S. officials at border points.
On Friday, February 20, 2026, Indigenous Services Canada amended its online guidance to make clear that while registered First Nations travellers may still be able to enter the United States using a Secure Certificate of Indian Status (secure status card) at land or water crossings, such cards are no longer guaranteed to be accepted by U.S. authorities and are not recognized for air travel.
“While you may have previously crossed the Canada-U.S. border with only a secure status card, … ISC now strongly recommends also carrying a valid passport when travelling outside of Canada,” the advisory states, reflecting the government’s effort to ensure that Indigenous travellers are not turned away or face complications at the border.
The change has sparked concern among Indigenous leaders and advocacy groups, who point to a series of recent incidents in which members of First Nations and Native American communities encountered heightened scrutiny, questioning, or temporary detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents — even when carrying valid status documentation.
Earlier travel advisories from First Nations groups such as those issued by bands in Ontario and British Columbia — warned members to exercise additional caution when travelling south of the border amid reports of such detentions and enforcement activities.
Advocates have also pointed to the historic 1794 Jay Treaty, which affirmed rights for Indigenous Peoples born in Canada to freely cross into the United States for purposes including work, residence, and travel. However, they acknowledge that border officials’ awareness of or application of these treaty provisions has been inconsistent, prompting advice for extra documentation, including passports and additional proof of identity or lineage.
The government’s updated guidance emphasises that acceptance of Secure Status Cards continues to lie entirely at the discretion of U.S. officials, a distinction that has worsened uncertainty for First Nations travellers who historically relied on the card as sufficient identification at many land border crossings.
Critics argue that the advisory highlights broader challenges in how Indigenous rights are respected and implemented across international borders, particularly when historic treaties and modern administrative requirements collide in everyday travel scenarios.
Indigenous Services Canada did not immediately provide specific data on how many First Nations travellers have faced issues at U.S. points of entry, but the update signals the federal government’s effort to reduce border-related disruptions and ensure smoother transit even as communities and advocates continue to press for a consistent application of treaty rights and fair treatment at international boundaries.