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The United States has announced that Canadians will need to register with the US government and undergo fingerprinting if they plan to stay in the country for more than 30 days.
Some shit you should know before you read: If you’re unaware, Canadians who visit the US for extended stays—typically up to six months—were not required to register with the US government or undergo fingerprinting. Many Canadians, particularly retirees known as “snowbirds,” spend their winters in the US to escape the cold, with an estimated 900,000 Canadians traveling south each year for extended stays. Additionally, around 500,000 Canadian citizens own properties in the US, primarily in Florida, Arizona, California, and Texas, where warm weather makes seasonal living attractive.
What’s going on now: In an announcement, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that a new rule will require Canadians staying in the US for more than 30 days to register with the federal government and submit to fingerprinting. The policy, set to take effect on April 11, mandates that Canadians over the age of 14 create an account with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), complete a biographic information form, and schedule an appointment for fingerprinting as part of a background check. The form requires personal details, including name, address, phone number, date of birth, family information, criminal records, and immigration history. Those who fail to comply could face a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment for up to 30 days, or both.
The policy is being implemented through an executive order issued by President Trump, which directs DHS to fully enforce the Immigration and Nationality Act—a law that has existed for decades but was not consistently applied to Canadians crossing the border by land. DHS officials have stated that enforcement will be strict because of the need to keep track of those who come to the US and stay for extended periods of time. The only exemptions to the rule apply to American Indians born in Canada.
In a statement, a spokeswoman for DHS said, “The Trump administration will enforce all our immigration laws—we will not pick and choose which laws we will enforce. We must know who is in our country for the safety and security of our homeland and all Americans.”
