A Canada public school board has decided Monday to cancel its students' trip to the United States following President Donald Trump's travel ban. School officials deemed this was necessary to ensure the safety of the students, especially since some carry dual passports. The places the students planned to visit might also have political rallies and protests nearby.
USA Today reported Clara Howitt, the school district's superintendent, told school administrators that there will be no U.S. trips for now. Some courts in America might have temporarily halted Trump's travel ban targeting specific Muslim countries, but the Canadian school board won't take any risks.
"It's just right now the uncertainty of whether all of our students would be able to cross," Howitt said. "We are just demonstrating due diligence at this period of uncertainty," she added.
Greater Essex County District School Board spokesperson Scott Scantlebury acknowledged that they have students with dual passports or foreigners who could potentially delay immigration proceedings or be asked to go back to Canada. "We are waiting to get clarity before continuing these trips to Detroit," he told CNN.
The students were supposed to visit the Holocaust Memorial Center in Farmington Hills, Michigan and the Detroit Opera House. There was also a trip planned for an April music festival in Washington, D.C.
Windor Star reports some students expressed their disappointment because they prepared and worked hard to be able to join the trip. At the borders, Canadians remain vigilant and its own immigration has been taking note of any incidents where some citizens have not been given permission to enter the U.S.
NPR reports the school board's decision will be re-evaluated by February's end. At which point, officials hope they will be able to have a better grasp of the situation in the U.S.
