Okanagan MP reassures constituents about U.S. travel ban

A member of Parliament is reaching out to concerned constituents in the B.C. Interior to reassure them that Canadians with dual citizenship will not be affected by the new sweeping U.S. travel ban.

President Donald Trump signed the executive order Friday banning visitors from Syria, Sudan, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Yemen and Somalia. There was initially confusion about whether the ban would apply to Canadian dual nationals.

"Constituents in Kelowna-Lake Country are very concerned that people will be stranded indefinitely or returned to countries that are not safe," said Stephen Fuhr, Liberal MP for Kelowna-Lake Country.

Fuhr said he has been contacted by a number of concerned residents by phone and email.

Canadian dual citizens can travel freely

"I want to assure them that our government will continue to do everything possible to protect the most vulnerable, including providing temporary residency as needed," he said.

In a news release, Fuhr reiterated the following:

• Canadian permanent residents with a valid permanent resident card and a passport from the seven identified countries can still enter the U.S.
• All Canadian passport and permanent resident cardholders can still travel to the U.S. as before.
• U.S. green cardholders are exempt from the executive order.
• The executive order does apply to foreign nationals from those seven countries transiting through Canada. However the minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship will use his authority to provide temporary residency as needed.

So far, no Kelowna travellers have been stopped from boarding a flight due to the travel ban, but the Kelowna International Airport is monitoring any developments to determine if this could affect passengers in the Okanagan.

"We are in discussions with Transport Canada in Ottawa, as they continue to seek further clarification on exactly what these restrictions mean," said Sam Samaddar, airport director. 

"We've directed our passengers and our travelling public to check with the airline that they're travelling with," he said.

UBCO reaches out to students 

Meanwhile, UBC Okanagan worked to address students' concerns directly on Monday offering an open door policy at International Programs and Services.

"We are happy to support you and your wider community, whether you just want to talk or want to create campus community events or gatherings," said Carrie Karsgaard, international student advisor, in a message to the Muslim Students' Association.

Like other Canadian universities, UBC has denounced the recent travel ban and has created a task force to determine how to best help students, staff and visiting scholars.

Should Canadian citizens or permanent residents experience problems travelling to the United States, they are encouraged to contact consular assistance at 1-613-996-8885.