Notice re: air travel into United States

11/29/2011

The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) is advising Kahnawa’kehró:non that a new protocol has been developed to help simplify the border-crossing experience for certain people travelling by air to the United States via Pierre-Elliot Trudeau (Dorval) Airport.

The protocol was created specifically to assist students returning to the U.S. who have, in the past, been required to present several documents to Customs officers to prove their status as students. Such travelers should, in addition to their passport, be prepared to show their status cards as well as a letter stating that they meet the requirement of 50% Native ancestry required by the United States to enter the country as a ‘Native person.’ 

“Some people have had difficulties when attempting to enter the U.S. by air,” said Chief Mike Bush. “The Customs office in Dorval has agreed to make it simpler for these students to return to the States. This will hopefully improve and simplify the process by removing the requirement to carry various educational documents.”

Please note that U.S. Customs has, on occasion, asked travelers crossing the border as ‘Native people’ to prove that they meet the U.S. requirement. It is not the MCK’s (or Canada’s) policy. The MCK-issued letter is available to those who meet the requirement at the Social Development Unit located at the Services Complex.

“We’re doing this as a public service,” clarified Chief Bush. “If someone on the Kahnawà:ke Mohawk Registry does not meet the American requirement it is possible that, unfortunately, they may have to abide by the original protocols.”