This is a guest post by Rakhmad Sobirov, a Canada-based attorney and LinkedIn connection. The answer to his rhetorical question is a resounding YES. This is one of the many prices the US will pay for implementing the Project 2025 playbook.

Peace, MAA

Here’s a story from my last trip to the US. As a Canadian citizen, I’ve crossed the border countless times… but October 2024 was different. It was before Trump became the US President.

In October 2024, on my way to California for a startup event, a US border Officer, Ahmad, questioned me about my global connections (Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, my previous travels), place of birth and profession. I gave him a crash course in business immigration while barely making it to my connecting flight. Hmmm, my last name does sound Russian…🙃

Right now, Iranian-Canadians face increased scrutiny at U.S. borders. Many get turned away despite holding Canadian passports. The FBI wants stricter controls on who enters from Canada.

Meanwhile, global talent watches this unfold.

PRO-TIP: TALENT FLOWS WHERE IT FEELS WELCOME.

Smart immigrants read these signals:
• Increased border scrutiny
• Lengthy interrogations
• Phone searches
• Travel restrictions

They see opportunity elsewhere. Hopefully, they will see more opportunities in Canada.

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE COMES FROM PEOPLE.

Silicon Valley thrived because it attracted the world’s brightest minds.

But talent requires:
• Predictability
• Respect
• Security
• Trust

When these vanish, talent finds new homes. 🍁

IMMIGRATION DRIVES INNOVATION.

Look at history:
• Einstein was an immigrant from Germany
• Tesla was an immigrant from (now) Croatia
• Von Neumann was an immigrant from Hungary
• (screw them) Musk and Pichai are immigrants from South Africa and India
• Rakhmad and Officer Ahmad are immigrants 😂 from Uzbekistan and possibly India, who knows.

They chose America because it welcomed them.

The world watches as policies shift.

OPPORTUNITIES ARISE FROM OBSTACLES.

While America tightens its borders, Canada positions itself as the next global talent hub.

Every obstacle creates opportunity somewhere else.

Smart countries recognize this.
Smart companies recognize this.
Smart people recognize this.

The future belongs to those who welcome talent. Do you agree or not?