Toronto – Arab Canada News

Immigration lawyers are urging Canadians with ties to Middle Eastern countries to reconsider their travel plans to the United States, amid increasing signs of tightened entry procedures for some travelers, especially after the recent escalation of geopolitical tensions.

Michael Shirzaz, an immigration lawyer based in Toronto, stated in an interview with CP24 that his office has received an increasing number of reports regarding temporary detentions and lengthy questioning of Canadian citizens of Middle Eastern descent upon entering the U.S., despite holding valid Canadian passports.

Shirzaz added:

“This is not an officially announced 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 emphasized that travelers may face unexpected delays, or even temporary denial of entry, urging prior legal consultation before traveling in sensitive cases.

Background:

This warning comes amid rising tensions between the United States and several countries, particularly after the Trump administration tightened security measures at the border and imposed tariffs on a number of countries.

There were previous periods during Trump's presidency where executive orders sparked widespread controversy regarding the temporary travel ban from predominantly Muslim countries, before those policies faced legal challenges and extensive human rights criticisms.