The number of cases of arrest and ban by Canadian citizens in the United States has increased by about 60 percent within a year, according to a new report released by the Canadian government on October 8, 2026.
Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs data Global Affairs Canada shows that 557 cases of arrest or ban by Canadians in the US were recorded during April 2025 to March, compared to 361 cases during the preliminary year.
According to The Canadian Press, which reported on TV News and other Canadian media, growth is especially significant since the number of U.S. Canadians has dropped by 25 percent over the same period.
Of the 26.8 million visits registered a year ago, the number has dropped to about 20 million.
The official report does not specify the causes of increased arrests. However, developments come at a time when President Donald Trump's administration has intensified controls and operations against violations of immigration laws.
Migration lawyer Len Saunders, who works in the American state of Washington, told The Canadian Press that part of his clients are Canadians who have lived for decades in the United States.
According to him, some are permanent residents, have American husbands, children born in the United States, or receive American pensions.
Saunders explained that some people have faced deportation procedures for old offences, including criminal sentences or problems with immigration status.
He also cited cases of people who had voted in American elections without American citizenship, which could create serious consequences for their legal status.
Increasing cases are not limited to the United States.
According to the annual report, Canadian authorities recorded 1,981 cases of arrest or ban by their citizens worldwide during April 2025 through March 2026. This represents an increase of about 20 percent compared with the preceding year.
In Thailand the number of recorded cases tripled, although the report does not give a direct explanation for this development.
Meanwhile, the total number of consular cases handled by Canada reached 7,436, including arrests, accidents, family disputes and other emergencies abroad.
Another interesting indicator is the increasing number of Canadians recording their trips to state authorities.
According to Global Affairs Canada, records in the official service for citizens travelling abroad increased from 452,160 to 574,338 in one year.
This service enables authorities to contact citizens in case of emergencies, natural disasters, or security crises.
For Canadian citizens planning to travel to the US, authorities recommend checking travel documents, respecting visa conditions and verifying status positions.
However, data does not mean that Canadian tourists are being arrested en masse. Statistics include various cases, even persons living in the US, while the report does not share arrests according to travel status.
The new figures have turned their attention to the relationship between Canada and the United States, the two countries that share one of the international borders with the largest circulation of people and goods in the world.
For the time being, it remains unclear whether the increase in arrests will continue during 2026, but the report shows that Canadians' trips and attitudes in the United States are being accompanied by increased concerns about implementing immigration laws.
