Key Takeaways
• Executive Order 14161 enforces stricter U.S. travel restrictions, targeting individuals from Iran and Afghanistan, including Canadians born in these countries.
• Canadians born in Iran or Afghanistan face heightened U.S. border scrutiny, including interrogations, visa denials, and mandatory registration for stays over 30 days.
• Canada’s response includes retaliatory tariffs, travel advisories, and advocacy for exempting affected Canadians from Executive Order 14161’s restrictions.
The United States has always been a significant travel and economic partner for Canada 🇨🇦, with millions of Canadians crossing the border each year for work, family, or leisure. This bond, however, has been shaken by recent changes in U.S. immigration policy. Canadians born in Iran 🇮🇷 and Afghanistan 🇦🇫 are now facing new challenges at American border crossings due to updated executive orders signed by President Donald Trump. These orders, explained as necessary for national security, are causing diplomatic strains, affecting personal freedoms, and raising questions about racial and religious discrimination.
At the center of this issue is Executive Order 14161, which has reinstated and expanded policies similar to earlier travel bans from President Trump’s first term.
Overview of Executive Order 14161
In January 2025, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14161, officially titled “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.” It marked a return to stricter immigration rules, with specific attention on individuals connected to countries like Iran and Afghanistan. According to the Trump administration, these heightened measures were designed to curb perceived risks related to terrorism and ensure more rigorous vetting of individuals traveling from nations deemed as “security threats.”
This executive order has revived memories of the controversial 2017 “Muslim Ban,” officially Executive Order 13769. That earlier measure sparked global protests and legal challenges but was upheld in a revised form by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018. It targeted travelers from seven predominantly Muslim countries, including Iran, and led to accusations of religious and racial profiling. While President Biden rescinded that policy during his administration in 2021, Trump’s return to office has reintroduced similar ideas, this time with broader implications. Executive Order 14161 goes further, applying stricter restrictions and impacting even U.S. allies, like Canada.
Why Canadians Are Affected
Under the new order, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have been given expanded authority to question travelers, delay their entry, and, in some cases, deny admission entirely. Canadians born in Iran and Afghanistan are being subjected to additional scrutiny—sometimes involving lengthy interrogations or immediate denial of entry. Travelers have reported confusion, unexpected detentions, and difficulty understanding the reasoning behind these actions.
Even though these individuals are Canadian citizens, their country of birth or dual nationality can still subject them to the new rules. For many, these policies feel like targeted discrimination, particularly as they see others entering without facing similar treatment. Critics argue that the blanket assumptions used in the executive order punish innocent individuals simply for their place of birth.
The order also includes a provision that restricts visas for individuals from 10 countries entirely, with Afghanistan and Iran included. Canadians who previously had no issues traveling to the U.S. now feel caught in a web of complex new requirements, furthering their frustration and fear.
Impact on Canadians Born in Iran and Afghanistan
For Canadians of Iranian and Afghan descent, these policies aren’t just inconvenient—they disrupt family bonds, hinder professional opportunities, and add emotional stress. Many have loved ones in the U.S. they cannot visit, and business travelers have found projects stalled or canceled due to their inability to enter the country. Students, too, face challenges in pursuing educational exchanges or continuing studies in the U.S. universities due to visa suspension.
While President Trump has stated that these measures are meant to prioritize safety, the human toll cannot be ignored. For Canadians who frequently travel to the U.S., the refusal of entry feels isolating and unfair. More importantly, the lack of clarity at the border, where decisions are often made case-by-case by border officers, leaves many feeling helpless with no concrete path to appeal.
Adding to the difficulties is a new registration rule for visitors staying in the U.S. for over 30 days. Canadians must now register with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services during their visit or face penalties. Advocacy groups express concern that these new administrative requirements disproportionately target specific ethnic and religious communities.
Canada’s Response and Growing Tensions
The policy changes have not gone unnoticed by Canadian officials. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has emphasized Canada’s commitment to standing up for its citizens’ human rights. During a parliamentary session, Trudeau remarked, “Canada will always speak out against discrimination and uphold the values of inclusivity and equality that are at the heart of our identity.” The Canadian government has also issued travel advisories to warn citizens of the new U.S. entry requirements, particularly those born in Iran or Afghanistan.
Canada’s response has not been limited to diplomatic dialogue. In February 2025, the Canadian government announced retaliatory tariffs on certain U.S. goods, signaling its disapproval of the discriminatory policies. Furthermore, Canadian representatives are actively lobbying their U.S. counterparts to exempt dual citizens and Canadian-born individuals from undue scrutiny at the border.
On the public front, there have been widespread calls for advocacy. Canadian communities, notably those with large Iranian and Afghan populations, are organizing rallies, meeting with lawmakers, and seeking legal remedies to protest the treatment of their members under Executive Order 14161.
Criticism from Advocacy and Human Rights Groups
The backlash against these policies extends beyond the Canadian government. Human rights organizations, both within Canada and the United States, have condemned Executive Order 14161 for promoting racial and religious discrimination. While the U.S. government has argued that the policy is necessary for national security, critics point out that the earlier “travel bans” under Trump’s first term produced no proven improvements in safety.
Civil liberties groups highlight that the latest measures, instead of preempting security threats, harm law-abiding people who contribute to society and suffer unwarranted stigma. Many fear this sets a harmful precedent where individuals’ rights are curtailed based on race, religion, or even perceived affiliations.
The Canadian Snowbird Association, which represents retirees who frequently travel to the U.S., has also expressed concern. These changes threaten longstanding cross-border norms that have supported economic and cultural exchanges for decades.
Diplomatic and Economic Consequences
The tensions between Canada and the U.S. aren’t limited to immigration alone. The introduction of these policies has implications for trade, tourism, and diplomatic relations. Canada and the U.S. have historically depended on their shared relationship to ensure smooth economic cooperation, but policies like Executive Order 14161 create uncertainties that ripple across industries.
Canada’s decision to impose tariffs on U.S. goods illustrates the economic tensions that can arise from such immigration decisions. American companies, particularly those in border-adjacent states like New York and Michigan, also risk losing business from Canadian travelers deterred by the complexities and stress of crossing the border.
Additionally, advocacy groups warn that escalating diplomatic tensions could result in long-term damage to shared initiatives, ranging from defense projects to environmental collaboration.
Looking Ahead
The evolving nature of U.S. immigration policy under Executive Order 14161 is unlikely to settle soon. While advocacy groups and legal teams attempt to challenge the order in U.S. courts, Canadians born in Iran and Afghanistan will remain in limbo, unsure of how future border policies may affect them. These cases highlight the broader implications of governance by executive orders, where individual freedoms and international relations become vulnerable to political shifts.
Amid these challenges, hopes remain for greater collaboration and understanding. The Canadian government, through diplomatic channels, continues to emphasize the need to restore fairness and consistency at the border. As Justin Trudeau urges Canada to preserve its principles of openness, the country finds itself a critical voice in the ongoing debate on global migration, human rights, and cross-border relations.
Conclusion
The denial of entry to Canadians born in Iran and Afghanistan reflects the far-reaching impact of immigration policies like Executive Order 14161. These measures not only affect individual travelers but also reshape the long-standing partnership between Canada and the U.S. As citizens, advocacy groups, and governments work to navigate the fallout of this executive action, they confront challenges extending beyond borders—challenges about identity, fairness, and the enduring question of how nations choose to balance security with inclusivity. For more information on ongoing U.S. border updates, visit U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Learn Today
Executive Order → A legally binding directive issued by the U.S. President to manage operations within the federal government.
National Security → Measures taken by a government to protect its country from threats like terrorism, espionage, or other dangers.
Travel Ban → A government policy restricting individuals from specific countries from entering another country, often for security reasons.
Diplomatic Tensions → Strain or conflict in political relations between two countries, typically caused by disagreements on policies or actions.
Racial and Religious Discrimination → Prejudicial treatment of individuals based on their race or religion, often leading to unfair restrictions or limitations.
This Article in a Nutshell
Canada-U.S. relations face strain as Executive Order 14161 imposes strict border policies, targeting Canadians born in Iran and Afghanistan. Citing security, measures spark claims of racial profiling, disrupting lives and trade. Advocacy groups, alongside Canadian officials, challenge these actions, urging fairness. The debate highlights fragile balances between security, fairness, and diplomacy.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• Detention of Iranian PhD Student Alireza Doroudi Stirs Concerns
• Iran Online E-Visa: A Simple Guide to Application, Costs, and Requirements
• Iran Visa on Arrival Ends: What Travelers Must Know for 2024
• Turkish Citizenship Granted to Iranian Gang Members, Indictment Alleges
• Stricter Immigration in Türkiye Fuels Rise in Scams Targeting Iranians
