A recent Facebook post from a Canadian friend stopped me in my tracks. It wasn't the initial post so much as the comment thread it provoked—comments from fellow Canadians defending the U.S. detention and deportation of migrants, many of whom have no criminal record, with the familiar refrain: “If you’re not a criminal, you have nothing to worry about.” The original post was about Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand telling CTV News that approximately 55 Canadians have been detained by ICE.
What they’re really saying is “If you’re white and not a criminal, you have nothing to worry about.” Racialized individuals are disproportionately targeted for detention and deportation compared to white people.
One commenter confidently stated that if you’re not a criminal, travel won’t be a problem. Another doubled down by praising U.S. law enforcement for “cleaning up” criminals and implied that such efforts are good for Canada too. The assumption running beneath it all was clear: if people are being detained or deported, they must have done something to deserve it.
This isn’t just about border policies. It’s about the growing number of Canadians willing to endorse Trump-era immigration tactics—tactics that abandon due process and blur the line between undocumented status and criminality. In one comment, a user claimed that most deportations don’t even require a criminal record and dismissed any concern over rights violations. The conversation wasn’t taking place in some fringe political group—it was among friends and acquaintances, people I’ve known and respected. And yet, here they were, giving cover to a system that increasingly disregards the presumption of innocence, even for fellow Canadians detained without explanation.
While Canadians cheerlead this erosion of rights abroad, countries around the world are issuing travel advisories warning their citizens about entering the United States. Canada, Germany, France, Denmark, Finland, the UK, Ireland, Portugal, and Belgium have all updated their guidance to reflect growing concerns. Some cite increased risk of arbitrary detention, police violence, civil unrest, and legal uncertainty—particularly for 2SLGBTQIA+ people, racial minorities, and activists. The U.S. once advised its citizens to steer clear of unstable regimes. Now, democratic allies are turning that warning back on America.
At the same time, Canada has issued its own travel advisories for the U.S., referencing new anti-trans laws, changes in passport policies, and concerns about unpredictable border enforcement. For example, there have been reports of Canadian travelers—some dual citizens—being detained without cause, and of cell phones being searched for political affiliation or social media posts. What’s chilling is not just that these things are happening, but that so many Canadians are now fine with it.
Why are we, as Canadians, so willing to support a political movement in the U.S. that so openly disrespects civil liberties and due process? Some may see it as a necessary trade-off for border security, but that’s a false bargain. Others seem captivated by the performative strength of authoritarian leadership, mistaking cruelty for order. And some, frankly, are just not worried—because they think they’re not the ones who will be affected. It’s the luxury of privilege to believe that the system will only ever come for someone else.
Applauding these measures abroad erodes our own national values. When Canadians align themselves with Trump-style governance, they don’t just support another country’s slide into authoritarianism—they invite that ideology into our own politics. They chip away at Canadian sovereignty by accepting foreign detention of our citizens without protest. They lay the groundwork for a future in which the presumption of innocence, once a pillar of our legal system, is seen as optional or outdated.
Canada’s current travel advisories aren’t just boilerplate bureaucratic notices—they are a reflection of real fears and political reality. And they ought to be a wake-up call. We cannot pretend to defend democracy at home while excusing the destruction of it next door. If we cheer for the erosion of civil rights across the border, we shouldn’t be surprised when those cracks appear in our own.
There is a difference between immigration enforcement and political persecution. Between due process and arbitrary power. Between justice and fear. When Canadians stop recognizing that difference, we don’t just lose sight of what’s happening in the U.S.—we start losing sight of who we are.
– Dr Wilbur Turner
- Dr. Wilbur Turner
~ Wilbur Turner is a political strategist and community advocate based in Â鶹AV, British Columbia, with deep roots in Alberta. With experience on the ground in federal and municipal campaigns, and a passion for civic engagement, Turner offers sharp, accessible insight into the political and social issues shaping our region and country. He was selected by the University of British Columbia for an Honorary Doctor of Laws for his significant contribution to the community. He also writes articles as QueerGranddad on Substack.
