A growing number of Canadians, including young children, are being arrested or detained by U.S. immigration authorities, prompting experts to warn that even routine travel south of the border now carries real risk. Newly released data obtained through a U.S. court case show more than 200 Canadians have been held in ICE custody since January, up from 137 last year, with records revealing 434 Canadian detention stays between late 2023 and October 2025. Most of those detained had no serious criminal history, with many held for visa overstays or documentation issues that were once resolved by simply being asked to leave the country. Queen’s University law professor Sharry Aiken says the spike reflects a sharp shift in enforcement under President Donald Trump’s second term, not an increase in criminal activity, noting that minor infractions are now triggering detention. The data also show at least six Canadian children were detained, including one held for 51 days, raising serious concerns about conditions and access to care. Immigration experts say aggressive arrest targets set for ICE have widened the net, meaning almost anyone can get caught up, particularly non–native-born Canadians. While Global Affairs Canada says it offers consular support, lawyers stress Ottawa has limited power to intervene. With deaths in ICE custody and mounting reports of harsh conditions, some experts are now offering stark advice to Canadians weighing U.S. travel: the risks, they say, may no longer be worth it.