(CANADA) The Girl Guides of Canada will suspend all trips to the United States starting September 1, 2025, citing border risks linked to policies first enforced under President Trump and still affecting entries.
The pause covers every U.S.-bound excursion, past and future approvals alike. Leaders say member safety, equal treatment, and stress-free travel come first, so groups will reroute to other countries instead.
What changed and when
- Effective date: September 1, 2025
- Scope: All Girl Guides of Canada trips to the United States 🇺🇸 are suspended.
- Status of approved trips: Not canceled; itineraries will be moved to destinations outside the U.S.
- Reason given: Concerns about new border rules described as “equal entry,” which can hit non‑U.S. citizens harder, including dual citizens and permanent residents in Guiding.
Organization leaders point to Canada’s spring travel advisories and ongoing U.S. enforcement as key drivers. They stress inclusivity and safety for every girl, no matter her passport.
Why now: border policy context
The group cites a broader immigration crackdown that began under President Trump. Stricter screening, more detentions, and fast-changing practices at land crossings and airports have created uncertainty.
Canadian advisories issued in April 2025 advise that travelers should be prepared to answer detailed questions, and that detention can follow if entry is refused.
Officials have documented troubling 2025 incidents involving Canadians at U.S. borders, including:
- the arrest of a Canadian entrepreneur in March 2025, and
- the death of a Canadian man held by ICE in June 2025, which remains under investigation.
Girl Guides leaders say they cannot risk similar harm to youth members or volunteers.
Who is most affected
- Girls and volunteers who are dual citizens, refugees, or permanent residents of Canada 🇨🇦
- Members born in countries on watchlists or subject to extra screening
- Families who rely on cross-border trips for camping, STEM events, sports, or cultural exchanges
While some members carry only Canadian passports and routinely enter the U.S., mixed-status groups face uneven treatment. A single denial at the border can strand a bus, split a patrol, or force last-minute cancellations.
What families should do now
- Expect trip rebooking. Units will propose new international destinations that match educational goals without U.S. entry risks.
- Keep documents ready. Even for non-U.S. travel, carry valid passports, consent letters for minors, health cards, and emergency contacts.
- Share status concerns with leaders. Confidentially flag dual citizenship, refugee travel documents, or prior secondary inspections so itineraries can avoid problems.
- Monitor official guidance. The Government of Canada’s advisory for the United States is updated as rules shift: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/united-states
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, youth organizations often choose rerouting over cancellation to protect participants while keeping learning outcomes intact.
How the “equal entry” rules affect groups
Girl Guides officials describe new U.S. rules framed as “equal entry.” In practice, they worry the rules are not equal for everyone. Groups with girls from many backgrounds can face:
- Secondary inspection for selected travelers, delaying the entire party
- Questions about birthplace, prior travel, or family ties abroad
- Denial of entry for one member, causing duty-of-care problems for leaders
- Possible detention if border officers issue a refusal of admission
Even if most travelers cross without trouble, that uncertainty conflicts with Guiding’s duty to keep minors safe and together.
History and scale
- The Girl Guides of Canada is more than a century old, with over seven million girls and women involved across its history.
- Cross-border trips to the United States have long been part of camping traditions and international friendship programs.
- The 2025 suspension touches a large network of units that normally plan U.S. jamborees, service projects, and exchange visits.
Alternatives to U.S. travel
Leaders are already considering alternatives that preserve learning goals and experiences:
- Domestic options
- Canadian national parks and science centers for STEM and outdoor skills
- Domestic service trips focused on climate response, food banks, and seniors
- International alternatives
- Partner exchanges with Guides and Scouts in Europe, Asia, and Latin America
- Hybrid/virtual
- Virtual twinning projects until travel plans settle
Families worried about sunk costs should expect rerouting, not lost programming. Units will aim to match budgets and learning goals as closely as possible.
Legal and practical notes for cross-border travel
- U.S. officers control admission at the border. Even with valid documents, entry is never guaranteed.
- If admission is refused, a traveler may be held for processing. For minors, this creates special safeguarding concerns.
- Canadians typically don’t need a visa for short U.S. visits, but officers may still issue an admission record and set limits on stay and activities.
- Phones and belongings can be searched at the border under U.S. rules, which can feel invasive to youth.
These realities underpin the suspension decision, which centers on predictable, safe travel for minors.
What this means beyond Guiding
Other Canadian groups—schools, sports clubs, and faith youth programs—are watching these developments closely. A single change at the border can derail a season’s plans.
The Girl Guides’ move signals a cautious approach many may adopt until conditions feel stable.
What to watch next
- Changes in U.S. entry policies or enforcement practices
- Updates to Canada’s travel advisory language for the U.S.
- Any Girl Guides timeline to revisit the suspension
The organization has not set an end date. Leaders will keep reviewing border trends and official notices before reopening U.S. travel.
Bottom line for parents and volunteers
- All U.S. trips are suspended from September 1, 2025.
- Approved trips will be rerouted, not canceled.
- Safety, inclusion, and equal participation are the priorities.
For official updates, check the Girl Guides of Canada website and watch the Government of Canada advisory linked above. Trip leaders will share new itineraries as soon as they are confirmed.
Example scenario: A unit plans a camp in the United States. One girl with dual citizenship is flagged; the bus waits, and admission is refused. Leaders must split chaperones, call parents, and cancel bookings. The suspension exists to avoid crises like this.
This Article in a Nutshell
Girl Guides of Canada suspend all U.S. travel from September 1, 2025, citing border “equal entry” risks. Approved trips will be rerouted internationally to protect dual citizens, permanent residents, and refugees. Leaders prioritize safety, inclusion, and predictable youth travel while monitoring U.S. enforcement updates and Canada’s travel advisories closely.
