U.S. to Require Canadians Staying Over 30 Days to Register and Submit Fingerprints Starting April 11, Exempting Nonimmigrants

The United States has announced new immigration rules that will require Canadians staying in the country for more than 30 days to register with the federal government starting April 11. The rule mandates that these visitors also submit fingerprints, except for Canadian nonimmigrants who are exempt from the fingerprinting requirement. This change comes amidst escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada, with the policy reflecting a broader effort by the Trump administration to enforce immigration laws more stringently. The new regulation will particularly impact Canadian 'snowbirds,' retirees who traditionally spend their winters in southern U.S. states like Florida, Texas, and South Carolina. An estimated 900,000 Canadians fall into this category. The policy has sparked concerns among Canadian travelers and retirees, some of whom are reconsidering their plans to visit or stay in the U.S. due to the additional bureaucratic requirements and the ongoing trade disputes. The rule was published in the U.S. Federal Register and is part of President Donald Trump's executive order aimed at 'Protecting the American People Against Invasion.' It applies to foreign nationals who enter the U.S. by land and remain for over 30 days, requiring them to fill out a new Form G-325R through the myUSCIS online portal. The Department of Homeland Security estimates that between 2.2 and 3.2 million people could be affected by this new requirement.