Girl Guides of Canada has decided to halt upcoming trips to the United States due to concerns that changes made by the Trump administration at the border could impact some of its members. The organization announced that both previously approved and future trips to the U.S. will be put on hold starting September 1.
The decision to suspend trips to the U.S. was made to ensure inclusivity and the safety of all members, particularly those who may hold citizenship from non-Canadian countries and could be affected by the new restrictions. Girl Guides of Canada emphasized their commitment to providing a secure, welcoming, and accepting environment for all members, including during travel experiences.
Although trips scheduled for this month will proceed as planned, later trips will be rescheduled to alternative locations. This move comes in response to the stringent immigration policies implemented by U.S. President Donald Trump since taking office, such as travel bans, immigration raids, and mass deportations.
Girl Guides of Canada joins a growing number of Canadian organizations refraining from traveling to the U.S. due to border changes. Some Canadian schools have also canceled trips, and individual Canadians have avoided travel to the U.S. in protest against the administration’s fluctuating tariff policies.
Reports of U.S. officials inspecting travelers’ phones, questioning Canadians about their loyalty to the U.S., detaining legal residents, and deporting alleged criminals without proper procedures have further fueled the backlash against U.S. travel.
Statistics from Statistics Canada reveal a significant decline in Canadian travelers heading south this year, with a notable decrease in return trips from the U.S. by car and air in June compared to the previous year.
While Girl Guides of Canada did not specify the exact number of affected trips, they mentioned that it varies annually. In contrast, Scouts Canada, another similar organization, stated that they are not currently suspending U.S. trips but are monitoring the situation closely and remain committed to providing safe and inclusive experiences for all participants, with a focus on potential impacts of U.S. border policies on non-Canadian members.