Canadians who visit US for more than 30 days will be fingerprinted
New requirement hardens enforcement of existing law that hasn't been applied consistently to Canadians entering the United States
Punch in the teeth? Yeah, kinda. But that's what bullies do. And America is now a PROUD BULLY!
There are links in the seed.
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
The US and Canadian flags are pictured at Peace Arch Historical State Park in Blaine, Washington, on 5 March 2025.
Jason Redmond/AFP/Getty Images
The new requirement, effective from 11 April, will harden enforcement of an existing law, which states that all foreign nationals 14 years old or older who plan to stay in the US for 30 days or more must register with the authorities.
In practice, that rule has not been applied consistently to Canadians entering the United States across the 5,525-mile land border between the two countries.
On his first day in office in January, Donald Trump signed an executive order directing US authorities to enforce the rule. "Failure to comply may result in criminal and civil penalties, up to and including misdemeanor prosecution, the imposition of fines, and incarceration," the order said.
The move marks a further deterioration in ties between the historical allies since Trump returned to power. Trump has meanwhile repeatedly called for Canada to become the 51st US state - a taunt seen by some north of the border as an annexation threat.
The new rule was published on the Federal Registrar on Wednesday as fresh US tariffs of 25% came into effect on steel and aluminum - widely seen as a blow to Canada, which already faces a separate 25% levy on other goods. Canada, in turn, announced retaliatory tariffs on nearly C$30bn worth of American imports.
It will probably affect the estimated 900,000 Canadians - known colloquially as "snowbirds" - who spend winters in warmer southern US states such as Florida, Texas and South Carolina.
The Department of Homeland Security estimates that between 2.2 million and 3.2 million people will be affected by the new visitor registration rules.
The immigration attorney Rosanna Berardi said: "It's important to clarify that this measure specifically impacts Canadian citizens crossing land borders who intend to remain in the United States for periods exceeding 30 days.
"Casual travelers visiting for tourism or shopping will not be affected. However, Canadian business professionals who regularly enter the US for extended assignments will now face these new registration requirements," she told ABC, which first reported the new requirement.
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It's going to be interesting to see how the new PM reacts.
Finally, America is cracking down on the Maple Leaf Menace!
/s
Jon Snow will protect us from the barabians of the North!
Having fingerprints on file does help with identifying the body.
There's the Nerm we've come to know as 'always-look-on-the-bleak-side-of-life'.
(apol. to Eric the Idler)
Canadians have been chiding Americans over the 'gun culture' in the US. Seems like placing fingerprints on file would be a good precaution when visiting the US.
We're getting used to it, American border guards are not stopping the trafficking of illegal guns into Canada.
New flip flop, natual born Canadians are now exempt from this requirement as long as they are registered
... and how does anyone know a Canadian's birth status? Is it indicated in the passport?
I just checked and yes it does, for example my Canadian passport shows my birth date and the fact I was born in Ft Belvoir, Virginia, USA
Were your parents Canadian? A child born to American parent(s) is a "native American", no matter where it's born. The MAGAs are concerned by births in the US to non-citizens.
Yes, dad was in the Cdn military serving at our embassy in Washington when I was born. When I was 3 1/2 he was posted back to Canada where I thought I was canadian until I joined the military and was told I wasn't and would have to go through the immigration process to become a citizen which is what I did. Lol a lot of us canadian military brats that were born overseas got caught up in that little snafu
I have nothing against Canadians. They're great people, most of them and a beautiful country, but sorry. This is a nothing burger. I had to get fingerprinted to join the Army. I had to get fingerprinted to get my concealed carry permit. I even had to get fingerprinted to get my driver's license. Not sure how it makes sense to have that many requirements like that for our own citizens to make sure we know who's who but it's just uncivilized to require it of Canadians.
You had to get fingerprinted for your driver's licence? Is that mandatory country wide?
No. Not everywhere. But my state does. It's a full background check. That is, if you want an enhanced DL, which lets you get on planes starting in May. I'm not certain the non-enhanced versions are even available anymore.
not in Arkansas
So Americans will soon have a national ID card.
I added French citizenship to my American in the mid-1980s, and have had a French ID card since then. There's no legal obligation to carry it... but it's stupid not to. I've never had a cop ask for it, but it's common practice in all kinds of civil/social transactions.