In a troubling case that has ignited diplomatic tensions, Marie-Michelle Levesque, a 30-year-old Canadian citizen, has spent over two weeks in a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility following what should have been a routine border crossing. Her detention highlights growing concerns about aggressive immigration enforcement practices and has prompted urgent calls for her release from Canadian officials.
Levesque was detained on April 25 after attempting to visit friends in Boston. Despite presenting valid identification and explaining that she planned to return to Montreal within a week, border agents questioned the purpose of her visit and ultimately took her into custody.
“They treated me like a criminal from the moment they pulled me aside,” Levesque told CO24 News in a phone interview from the detention facility. “I showed them my return ticket, my hotel reservation, everything they asked for. Then suddenly I was being handcuffed.”
The Canadian government has confirmed it is providing consular assistance to Levesque. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly addressed the situation during a press conference in Ottawa yesterday, stating that “protecting Canadians abroad is our top priority” and that her office is “working diligently to secure Ms. Levesque’s immediate release.”
According to immigration experts, Levesque’s case is not isolated. Data obtained from U.S. Customs and Border Protection reveals a 27% increase in detentions of Canadian citizens at land border crossings over the past year. This trend coincides with the Biden administration’s continued enforcement of stringent immigration policies, many inherited from the previous administration.
Immigration attorney Samantha Greene, who specializes in cross-border cases, notes that such detentions can have severe consequences. “Being held in immigration detention is traumatic under any circumstances,” Greene explained. “But for someone expecting to simply cross the border for a short visit, it’s particularly shocking. These facilities are not designed for comfort – they’re designed for containment.”
The detention has sparked outrage among Canadian advocacy groups. The Canadian Civil Liberties Association has condemned Levesque’s treatment, arguing that it represents “an alarming overreach of enforcement powers” and risks damaging the traditionally open relationship between the two countries.
Political analysts suggest the case could become a diplomatic flashpoint. Dr. Michael Byers, professor of political science at the University of British Columbia, believes this incident reveals deeper tensions. “The Canada-U.S. relationship has weathered many storms, but incidents like this test the resilience of that bond,” Byers told CO24 Politics. “It raises serious questions about reciprocity and respect between supposed allies.”
In Washington, Canadian embassy officials have been in daily contact with ICE, pushing for clarity on the circumstances of Levesque’s detention and advocating for her immediate release. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has provided limited information, citing “ongoing administrative proceedings.”
Meanwhile, Levesque’s family in Montreal has launched a social media campaign calling for her release. Her sister, Dominique Levesque, expressed frustration with the slow pace of diplomatic efforts. “Every day she spends in detention is another day of injustice,” she said. “We’re Canadian citizens – we expect better treatment when visiting our closest neighbor and ally.”
Legal experts note that while the U.S. has the sovereign right to control its borders, international norms typically dictate more respectful treatment of citizens from allied nations. “There are established protocols for dealing with visitors who may not meet entry requirements,” explained international law professor Catherine Martin at McGill University. “Detention should be a last resort, not a first response.”
As Levesque’s detention enters its third week, the case raises profound questions about the balance between security and human dignity at international borders. How many more Canadians might face similar treatment, and what will this mean for the future of cross-border travel between two nations that have long prided themselves on maintaining the world’s longest undefended border?
