US Plans New Registration Rule for Long-Stay Canadian Visitors

The Trump administration is introducing a new travel rule requiring Canadians staying in the U.S. for over 30 days to register with the U.S. government and undergo fingerprinting, effective April 11. This measure will impact many Canadian 'snowbirds' who spend extended periods in the U.S. during winter months. Canadians will need to create an account with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and schedule a fingerprinting appointment as part of a background check. Common travel documents like the I-94 can be used as alternatives to registration. This policy change comes amidst escalating tensions between the U.S. and Canada, with Trump threatening tariffs and seeking to more strictly enforce immigration laws. The Department of Homeland Security is pushing to enforce the Immigration and Nationality Act, previously unenforced, requiring noncitizens over 14 to register and be fingerprinted within 30 days of entry.