17 hours Ago By Ari Yanover
Canadians planning to travel to the United States may be affected by a new policy that would have them register if they are south of the border for more than 30 days. The policy came into effect under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) on March 9. According to an executive order, called Protecting the American People Against Invasion , put in place on Jan.
20, U.S. President Donald Trump is cracking down on those heading to the U.
S., including Canadians. The travel policy comes amid rising tensions between the U.
S. and Canada, with on-again off-again tariffs on Canadian goods as well as Trump repeated comments about Canada becoming the 51st state. Although some details have yet to be shared by the U.
S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) — such as the registration form and process — the agency has provided information about the requirements for Canadians and other foreign nationals with long-term travel plans. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here.
Global Affairs Canada told the National Post in an emailed statement that they are aware of the “guidance” from USCIS, which was published on Feb. 25 online . “Each country decides who enters its borders.
The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller,” the department said. Here’s what we know. Section one of Trump’s executive order states that “millions of illegal aliens” have crossed the American border “or were permitted to fly directly into the United States on commercial flights and allowed to settle in American communities, in violation of longstanding federal laws.
” The purpose of the order is to enforce immigration laws to ensure “the national security and public safety” of Americans. USCIS has a webpage with information about the new policy, which is called the Alien Registration Requirement . It pertains to a section of the INA that says it is the duty of “every alien now or hereafter in the United States” who is 14 years or older and who is going to remain in the U.
S. for 30 days or longer to “apply for registration and to be fingerprinted before the expiration of such thirty days.” It says that the text “contains those laws in effect on March 9, 2025.
” “Registration is not an immigration status, and registration documentation does not establish employment authorization or any other right or benefit under the INA or any other U.S. law,” says the agency.
No, some Canadians do not have to register because they are qualified to be in the U.S. The USCIS webpage explains that those who are considered to be already registered are foreign nationals, including Canadians, who were admitted to the United States as nonimmigrants and were issued a paper or electronic form I-94 or I-94W, even if the period of admission has expired.
.
