Eliza PerronThe United States National Guard has been trending in Canadian searches this week, and for good reason. Amid deepening US-Canada tensions and a dramatic shift in American border policy, Canadians are increasingly anxious about what crossing the US border — or even planning a trip south — actually involves in 2026.
What Is Driving the National Guard Trend in Canada?
The spike in Canadian interest follows months of escalating American border security measures under the Trump administration. The US National Guard has been deployed along American borders, including discussions about deployments near the Canadian border, as part of a broad militarization of immigration enforcement.
Combined with a reported 25% drop in Canadian visits to the United States compared to the previous year — driven by fear of aggressive enforcement and political tensions — the trend reflects genuine uncertainty about the legal landscape for Canadians crossing south.
The anxiety is not unfounded. A significant policy change took effect on December 26, 2025: new US biometric entry-exit requirements now apply to all Canadians, including those making short, casual day trips. Under the Department of Homeland Security's modernized border system, biometric data including fingerprints can now be collected at the border — a measure that previously applied primarily to international travellers, not Canadians.
What Canada Has Done in Response
Canada has not been passive. On March 26, 2026, the Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act (Bill C-12) received Royal Assent, according to Public Safety Canada. The legislation includes enhanced tools for law enforcement to combat transnational organized crime and fentanyl trafficking, and allocates $1.3 billion through Canada's Border Plan, which includes hiring 1,000 additional CBSA officers and 1,000 new RCMP personnel.
These are defensive measures on Canada's side of the border. But they do not change what Canadians face when they enter or attempt to enter the United States. For that, Canadians need to understand their rights under American law — and where those rights end.
What Canadians Need to Know About Crossing the US Border
You do not have an automatic right to enter the United States. Canadian citizenship gives you the right to re-enter Canada — not to enter the US. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers have broad discretionary authority to deny entry to any foreign national, including Canadians, for a wide range of reasons.
Biometric data collection is now standard. Since December 26, 2025, American border authorities can collect fingerprints, photographs, and other biometric identifiers from Canadians at any land crossing. Refusing to comply is grounds for denial of entry.
Your devices can be searched. US courts have ruled that border agents can search electronic devices — phones, laptops, tablets — without a warrant at the border. This applies to Canadians. Any data on your device is accessible to CBP officers at the point of crossing. Privacy rights that apply inside Canada do not travel with you across the border.
Secondary inspection is not optional. If you are directed to secondary inspection, you must comply. You have the right to remain silent on matters unrelated to your admissibility, but refusing to answer basic questions about your trip can itself lead to denial of entry.
Criminal records create serious complications. Even minor offences — including historic cannabis possession convictions — can be grounds for denial of entry or referral to the immigration court process. Canada's legalization of cannabis has no effect on American law.
The Role of a Canadian Lawyer
Many Canadians are unaware that a Canadian immigration lawyer or cross-border legal specialist can provide guidance before a situation arises — not just after. If you have:
- A prior criminal record (even minor or pardoned offences)
- Past denial of entry to the US
- Work or business dealings that involve crossing regularly
- A pending immigration matter in either country
- Concerns about a family member who has been detained at the border
...speaking to a legal professional before attempting to cross is far more effective than trying to resolve problems from the secondary inspection room.
Canadian lawyers with expertise in cross-border travel and US immigration law can advise on whether you need a waiver of inadmissibility, help you understand your documentation requirements, and prepare you for questions that border agents routinely ask.
The Canada Border Services Agency's official traveller resources remain the authoritative starting point for understanding current crossing procedures — but for complex situations, professional legal advice is irreplaceable.
A Practical Checklist Before Crossing South
If you are planning to travel to the United States in 2026, consider the following before you go:
- Check your travel documents — ensure your passport is valid for the full duration of your trip
- Review your criminal history — any prior charges or convictions, even old ones, can affect entry
- Do not carry cannabis across the border in any form, including legal Canadian products
- Know what is on your phone — if carrying sensitive personal or business communications, be aware they may be reviewed
- Have travel insurance — US healthcare is expensive; ensure your coverage is valid
- Consult a lawyer if you have any doubts — a one-hour consultation before a trip is worth far more than the legal complexity that follows a border refusal
For more on how Canada's border rules are shifting, see our coverage of Canada's border smuggling crackdown and what travellers need to know.
Expert Zoom connects Canadians with qualified legal professionals who specialize in cross-border matters. Given the speed at which US border policy has changed since late 2025, getting an up-to-date legal briefing from an expert is one of the most prudent steps any frequent US traveller can take.
Legal disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, consult a qualified Canadian lawyer with cross-border or immigration expertise.
