Ottawa clarifies US ban for Canadians

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OTTAWA (NEWS 1130) – Canada’s immigration minister says Canadian permanent residents from the seven Muslim-majority countries targeted by the ban will still be able to cross the border.

Federal Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen is encouraging people with dual citizenship travel with their Canadian passport.

“We’ve been assured by the White House that Canadian Permanent Residents with a valid Permanent Resident card and a passport from those seven countries can still enter as before.”

He says this is a top priority in Ottawa and that Canadian diplomats will keep working with Washington to get further clarity.

Hussen says more than 35,000 Canadians hold dual citizenship with one of the affected countries.

“We encourage you to travel with your Canadian passport. Should any Canadian experience problems we encourage them to contact consular services.”

Hussen says they know of no Canadians seeking consular assistance, and he promised to temporarily house any travellers who are stranded in Canada as a result of this ban.

This policy has sparked protests across the US and around the world, but Hussen wouldn’t condemn the policy, only saying every country has a right to determine their own policies and Canada will continue to be open to refugees and immigrants.

It was initially unclear yesterday whether Canadians who are also citizens of the affected countries would be allowed to cross the US border, as the State Department said that dual citizens were included in the ban.

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