Is the Nonlinear Meissner Effect Unobservable?

We examine the effects of nonlocal electrodynamics for a $d$-wave superconductor on the field dependence of the magnetic penetration depth. The linear field dependence predicted in the local limit, commonly known as the nonlinear Meissner effect, is instead found to be quadratic, $\delta \lambda \sim H^2$ for fields below a crossover scale $H^{*}$ describing the competition between nonlinear and nonlocal effects in the Meissner state. This crossover is shown to be geometry dependent and for most orientations of the screening currents is of the same order as or greater than $H_{c1\mathrm{}}$, implying that the nonlinear Meissner effect cannot be observed in this situation. For special orientations where the current flows along the nodal directions, however, the nonlinear Meissner effect may be recovered.