Canada Criticizes U.S. Border Stop of MP Jivani After Washington Trip

The Canadian government has formally expressed concern and displeasure after Conservative MP Laura Jivani was detained and searched by U.S. border officials as she tried to enter the United States following a trip to Washington, D.C. Jivani had attended meetings with U.S. lawmakers and civil society groups when she was stopped at a land border crossing and subjected to extra screening, according to statements from her office and federal officials.

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said Ottawa has protested the incident, arguing that the treatment of a sitting Canadian parliamentarian — who was in the U.S. on official business — was unjustified and troubling. Joly noted that elected officials engaging with counterparts across borders should be able to travel without undue interference, adding that Canada expects professional and respectful treatment for its representatives at international borders.

Jivani, who represents a Toronto-area riding, had participated in discussions on security, economic cooperation and technology policy during her visit to the U.S. capital. Upon return to North America, she was stopped at a U.S. land border crossing where officials asked questions, conducted a search of her electronic devices, and delayed her before finally allowing entry. Jivani called the experience “unusual” and said she complied fully but was surprised by the level of scrutiny.

Canadian officials said they raised the matter directly with U.S. counterparts, including senior officials in Washington, as part of what Ottawa described as a diplomatic protest. A spokesperson for Global Affairs Canada said that MPs on official or semi-official trips should not face treatment that appears overly intrusive or punitive, and that Canada was seeking assurances about future respectful treatment of its elected officials.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency has not publicly commented on the specific incident but routinely conducts secondary screenings of travellers at ports of entry when officers deem it necessary under their protocols. Experts note that border agencies in many countries have broad authority to question and inspect travellers, including electronic devices, though such actions can raise concerns when they involve public officials on official business.

Opposition parties in Ottawa also weighed in, with some saying the incident highlights broader frustrations with U.S. border policies, while others cautioned that federal officials should balance protest with careful diplomacy. The matter comes amid ongoing debates about border security, travel rights and the treatment of Canadian citizens and officials abroad.

The Canadian government has underscored that it will continue to monitor the situation and press for clear, consistent treatment of Canadian representatives at U.S. border crossings, emphasising that mutual respect between allies is critical to maintaining strong bilateral relations.