The federal government has revised its travel guidance for the United States, advising First Nations people to carry both a valid passport and a Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS) when crossing the border a shift that reflects growing uncertainty around entry requirements.
For generations, many First Nations individuals have relied on their status cards to cross into the United States for work, education, investment, retirement, or immigration purposes. Under longstanding interpretations of cross-border rights, including those rooted in the Jay Treaty of 1794, Indigenous people have been able to move between Canada and the U.S. with fewer restrictions.
However, Ottawa now cautions that a status card alone may no longer guarantee entry.
In an update posted Feb. 19, the federal government noted that while a Secure Certificate of Indian Status commonly referred to as a secure status card is generally accepted at land and sea border crossings, final admission decisions rest entirely with U.S. border officials. Acceptance of any status card, the advisory states, remains at the discretion of American authorities.
Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is urging travellers to carry both a machine-readable secure status card and a valid passport when travelling outside Canada. “While you may have previously crossed the Canada-U.S. border with only a secure status card, ISC now strongly recommends also carrying a valid passport,” the department said.
The secure status card was first introduced in 2009, replacing earlier laminated paper and plastic versions. In 2019, the government began issuing cards equipped with a machine-readable zone to align with modern border security standards.
The advisory also highlights additional documentation requirements for some travellers. Individuals registered under the Indian Act who intend to enter the United States for employment or permanent residence may need to provide proof of Indigenous ancestry, including documentation verifying the percentage of Indigenous blood required under U.S. law.
Concerns about border crossings have been amplified in recent weeks. The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) issued its own advisory, encouraging First Nations people to exercise caution when travelling to the United States. The organization cited reports of increased immigration enforcement activity and the detention of some Indigenous individuals by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“Recent reports indicate that some First Nations members are experiencing increased scrutiny,” the AFN said in a public statement, reaffirming its commitment to defending inherent mobility rights recognized under the Jay Treaty.
Several First Nations communities in Ontario, including the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Six Nations of the Grand River near Hamilton, and Garden River First Nation near Sault Ste. Marie, have also alerted members to be prepared with proper documentation before attempting to cross the border.
The Jay Treaty Alliance, which represents tribal governments and First Nations communities on both sides of the border, is advising travellers to carry a comprehensive set of documents. These include a status card, familial lineage letter, long-form birth certificate, and government-issued photo identification. U.S. tribal members are similarly encouraged to bring tribal identification cards, state-issued IDs or driver’s licences, or a U.S. passport.
While cross-border mobility has long been regarded as an inherent right for Indigenous peoples, the latest advisory underscores the evolving realities of border enforcement and the importance of being fully prepared before travelling.
