At a recent public event in Fredericton, Maine Governor Janet Mills attempted to reassure Canadian residents concerned about travelling to the United States under a possible return of Donald Trump to the presidency. Speaking alongside New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt, Mills acknowledged the anxieties felt by many Canadians, particularly those from marginalised communities, but stressed that the state of Maine remained safe and welcoming. While recognising that she had no authority over federal agencies such as Border Patrol or ICE, Mills underscored that their actions typically did not target small border towns, in an effort to maintain vital cross-border relationships.
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Premier Holt used the occasion to renew her call for New Brunswickers to consider holidaying within their own province, citing concerns over safety and the broader political environment south of the border. She noted that the lingering effects of US tariffs on Canadian goods and the rollback of rights under Republican leadership were dissuading many from crossing into the US. This sentiment appears to have tangible effects: visits from New Brunswick to Maine have declined by around one-third this year, significantly affecting local tourism-dependent economies along the border.
Voices from the LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities echoed these fears during the event. Vivian Myers-Jones, a board member of Saint John Pride, said that while she planned to attend Bangor Pride, many others in her community did not feel safe travelling to the US. Similarly, David Dennis, a local business owner, recounted how his Venezuelan-born wife had cancelled a trip to Portland, fearing she might be targeted by immigration enforcement despite her Canadian citizenship. Mills acknowledged these fears and, while expressing sympathy, admitted she could not guarantee federal agents’ behaviour at the border.
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Recent data supports the notion that Canadian confidence in travelling to the US is waning. Vehicle crossings at several key entry points have dropped by over 30 percent year-on-year, according to CBC reports. A Leger poll conducted in May found that more than 70 percent of Canadians are now less likely to visit the US in 2025, citing increased political hostility and economic instability. With public officials like Holt promoting domestic travel as a safer alternative, it remains to be seen whether such trends will reverse — or if cross-border relations will continue to chill.
