A controversy begun by the White House concerning immigration is causing confusion for Canadians with dual citizenship in countries under a US travel ban.
President Donald Trump issued Friday the order barring citizens of Syria, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan and Libya from entering the US over the next three months. Syrian refugees were also barred from the US until the application process could be re-evaluated. The order has caused confusion and protests in the US, Canada and worldwide.
On Saturday night, a federal judge in New York ordered an emergency stay of the executive order for affected people being detained with valid visas upon arrival in the US or in transit.
With immigrants from those countries making their home in Windsor-Essex, that may still cause some concern if they want to cross the border into the US, at least for the time being.
Jason Currie, a Windsor immigration lawyer, sought clarification from US Customs and Border Protection officers in Detroit since he has clients who may be affected by the travel ban, and was told that those from the affected countries who carry Canadian passports would be dealt with on what was called a "case by case" basis.
"The extent of information was case by case, which to me is kind of concerning since we've also seen other stories where people who had valid visas are being detained," said Currie, a dual US-Canadian citizen who has been practicing law in Windsor for seven years.
Late Saturday night, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's office announced that the US had assured him that Canadian citizens with dual citizenship would have no trouble entering the US with a Canadian passport.
On Sunday afternoon, immigration minister Ahmed Hussen confirmed that dual Canadian citizens and permanent residents could enter the US, and for those from countries affected by the travel ban, Canada would offer temporary residency to those stranded.
Despite those developments, Currie said the most foolproof thing for those involved, at least for now, is to not cross the border unless necessary.
"Even with a Canadian passport, if your place of birth is in one of these countries, or if you have a connection to one of these countries...I would discourage any from trying to enter the United States barring further information or clarification coming from that end," said Currie.
Currie said he has had plenty of Iraqi and Syrian clients over the past two years due to Canada's refugee policies concerning immigrants from those two countries. He has also consulted the Canada Border Services Agency but they have told him there have been no changes in policy.
Below federal level, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has tweeted that immigrants will continue to be welcome in Michigan and that state and local police are not actively enforcing federal immigration law.
A complete statement from the US Department of Homeland Security, issued Sunday, can be found here.
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