Natives’ Unfettered Access To States In Jeopardy
Wednesday, April 06, 2005 at 14:13
Questions are being raised about what new travel regulations to the United States could mean to First Nations’ residents in Canada.
Just yesterday, the U.S. announced that all Canadians travelling there will require passports by 2007.
Up until now, all Canadians have been free to travel across the border with as little identification as a drivers’ licence.
As well, First Nations people have been allowed to work in the States without visas and to serve as American soldiers — mainly because the U.S. government has generally treated Aboriginal people as residents of North America, and not just one country.
A spokesperson for the Assembly of First Nations says the AFN is checking into the report and hopes to know more within a few days.