Canada and several European countries have recently updated their travel advisories amid the stricter immigration policies enforced by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. The move is in response to increasing concerns about the treatment of travelers at U.S. borders, particularly as reports of foreigners being detained have surged.
On March 21, 2025, the Canadian government issued an advisory stating that visitors planning to stay in the United States for longer than 30 days must now register with the U.S. government. The update noted, "Canadians and other foreign nationals visiting the United States for periods longer than 30 days must be registered with the United States Government. Failure to comply with the registration requirement could result in penalties, fines, and misdemeanor prosecution." This marks a significant shift from previous protocols where Canadian travelers could enter the U.S. without a visa or registration.
Various European nations, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, and Finland, have issued similar warnings advising their citizens to comply strictly with U.S. entry rules. Officials from the U.K. have stressed that travelers must adhere to all entry conditions, indicating that failure to do so could result in arrest or detention. "The authorities in the US set and enforce entry rules strictly. You may be liable to arrest or detention if you break the rules," stated a spokesperson for the U.K. Foreign Office.
Germany's Foreign Ministry has been actively assisting nationals affected by the tightening American border regulations. They reiterate that even those possessing the correct visa or the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) may still be detained at the border, as the final decision about entry lies solely with U.S. authorities.
Concerns regarding the treatment of transgender, nonbinary, and intersex individuals have also been raised in the advisories. Finland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has warned that the U.S. recognizes only two genders—male and female—and that if an applicant’s gender does not match the one assigned at birth, their travel permit or visa application could be denied. Denmark has echoed this warning, advising affected travelers to reach out for guidance from the U.S. Embassy prior to their travel.
These updated advisories come against the backdrop of distressing accounts from international travelers. One such case involves Jasmine Mooney, a Canadian woman detained for over a week after attempting to apply for a work visa at the U.S.-Mexico border. "One minute, I was in an immigration office talking to an officer about my work visa. The next, I was told to put my hands against the wall and was patted down like a criminal before being sent to an ICE detention center without the chance to talk to a lawyer," Mooney recounted, reflecting the troubling experiences faced by many foreign nationals.
In light of these harsh realities, social media users in Canada have called for a more serious response from the government regarding travel to the U.S. Some have suggested issuing a full travel warning, pointing out that the current situation makes the U.S. increasingly unsafe for Canadians. The public's sentiment reflects an alarming recognition of the evolving nature of U.S. border policies.
As the tensions between Canada and the U.S. continue to rise—sparked by issues like trade tariffs and immigration enforcement—travelers are now faced with more complicated itineraries and greater uncertainty. Moreover, it is expected that individuals from marginalized communities, particularly those who do not conform to traditional gender norms, may find it increasingly difficult to navigate the U.S. immigration system.
Overall, the stricter immigration rules imposed by the Trump administration could reshape international travel patterns and create a ripple effect in the tourism industry. Regulatory shifts such as mandatory registration for long-term stays will not just affect Canadian and European travelers; they may alter the global tourism landscape by discouraging visits to the U.S. As traveler scrutiny intensifies, the advisories signal a significant turning point in how international relations and travel are approached in the years to come.
