During this pandemic, many cross-border families have been torn apart. Spouses separated from spouses, which means in some cases one parent being torn apart from their spouse and minor children. This all depends on where one is in the immigration process. During this time, if the travel ban is to be extended between our countries to prevent tourism, it is important to class family reunification as essential. Not vacations, but responsible plans for families to be together. We can all only get through COVID-19 together, and families are stronger together than divided, alone, and afraid.

Right now, immediate family members coming to Canada is defined as an exception in travel restriction on the gc.ca website, and yet this does not apply to Americans who are immediate family members of Canadians. American spouses of Canadians are being turned away at the border. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/windsor-det...

If family travel from any other part of the world can be considered essential travel, then cross border families deserve the same treatment and care.

My husband is American and I am Canadian- we married last October and are completely separated by the restrictions at this time. We aren't asking to go out, to violate lockdown-- only to have the ability to be in this together.