Canadian Girl Guides discontinuing travel to the U.S. in reaction to Trump's border regulations
In a recent development, the Girl Guides of Canada has announced the suspension of all group travel to the United States. This decision comes in response to the travel restrictions imposed by the Trump administration, which primarily affect nationals from African and certain other countries [1][4].
The United States has implemented travel bans restricting entry for nationals from a specified list of countries, initially 19, with consideration to expand to 36 more [1]. These bans affect various categories of visas, including tourist, business, student, and immigrant visas, essentially blocking most non-citizens from these countries from traveling to the U.S. [4].
However, there are several exceptions to these restrictions, including lawful permanent residents, diplomats, certain family members of U.S. citizens, athletes and their families for major sporting events, refugees and asylees, and specific visa categories like Afghan Special Immigrant Visas [3].
The Girl Guides of Canada, with its focus on creating a safe, inclusive, and accepting environment for all members, has not been found to be uniquely impacted by these travel restrictions [5]. As the majority of the participants are Canadian citizens or residents, they are generally unaffected by bans targeted at nationals from the restricted countries.
However, if Girl Guides include members who are nationals of the banned countries, those members could face travel restrictions unless they qualify for one of the exceptions mentioned.
Scouts Canada, a separate organization with similar founding principles, is continuing travel to the U.S., but is monitoring "recent developments surrounding U.S. entry policies and their potential impact on our members" [2].
The suspension by the Girl Guides of Canada includes both previously approved and future trips, and will go into effect starting next month. This decision is rooted in the organization's commitment to inclusivity and the safety of all members.
The travel suspension by the Girl Guides of Canada is happening amid an ongoing trade war between Canada and the United States. The decrease in travel to the United States by Canadians has been significant, with automobile return trips down by over 38% year-over-year in May, and air return trips down by more than 24% [6].
It's important to note that the situation is fluid, and the duration of the travel moratorium by the Girl Guides of Canada is currently unknown. For those seeking to understand how these policies might affect a specific travel plan involving Girl Guides of Canada participants who are not Canadian citizens, it would depend on their nationality and visa eligibility under the exceptions.
The Girl Guides is an organization for young girls and teenagers focused on learning and development, friendship, and community building. This decision underscores the organization's approach, which remains rooted in ensuring safe, inclusive, and equitable experiences for all youth and volunteers in their programs, at home and abroad.
The article was partially based on files from our website News' Hunter Crowther and Aarjavee Raj.
References: 1. Trump's travel ban: What countries are affected? 2. Scouts Canada monitoring U.S. entry policies amid travel bans 3. Trump Administration Issues New Travel Ban, Banning Entry to Citizens of Six Countries 4. Trump's Travel Ban: What Happened and What's Next 5. Girl Guides of Canada not impacted uniquely by U.S. travel restrictions 6. Canadian tourism industry hit hard by travel restrictions
- The Girl Guides of Canada has suspended all travel to the United States, affecting their future and previously approved trips, due to the travel restrictions imposed by the Trump administration that primarily affect nationals from African and certain other countries.
- The travel suspension by the Girl Guides of Canada is rooted in their commitment to inclusivity and the safety of all members, but it may not affect Canadian citizens or residents directly since most of the participants fall under this category.
- Girl Guides including members who are nationals of the banned countries might face travel restrictions unless they qualify for one of the exceptions mentioned, such as refugees, asylees, or specific visa categories.
- Amid an ongoing trade war between Canada and the United States, the decrease in travel to the United States by Canadians has been significant, affecting various sectors, including lifestyle, environment, and general news.
