California's Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom took to social media to beg Canadians to visit the Golden State despite deportation concerns.
"Today, we launched a new international campaign focused on encouraging Canadians to come visit the great state of California," Newsom said in a 26-second video shared to TikTok Tuesday.
"The state of mind in the United States of America has dramatically changed as it relates to the approach to Canada," he continued, seemingly alluding to President Donald Trump's ceaseless insistence the nation becomes the 51st state.
"We want to make sure we send a message to our Canadian friends up north to come to a state where 2 million Canadians visited last year," Newsom added. "Come visit a state where there's something for everybody."
@gavinnewsom A message for our Canadian friends: come visit California. 🇨🇦
♬ original sound - Gavin Newsom
Social media users quickly flooded Newsom's comment section with messages pointing to the unlawful detention of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who is being held in El Salvador's Terrorism Confinement Center after he was wrongfully detained by immigration enforcement.
"Gavin, as a Canadian travel advisor for over 30 years. We are not visiting the US at this time. I have three words for you: Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Yes even us lowly Canadians know what's happening," a TikTok user wrote.
"Sorry, I don't want to be plucked off the street and [sent] to El Salvador. It's not safe," another added.
"Your country has accepted the suspension of the rule of law. The administration is now ignoring SCOTUS rulings and bragging about it. Nope. Not until you are a stable nation again," one user commented.
Newsom's public service announcement came the same day the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) strongly recommended its "academic staff travel to the U.S. only if essential and necessary," Global News reported.
Last month, Canada and several European nations, including the UK, Ireland and Germany, according to NPR, warned citizens traveling to the U.S. to be prepared with any and all paperwork or risk detention as the Trump administration continues cracking down on immigration enforcement.
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