The U.S. will begin enforcing a visitor registration law for Canadians, mandating registration for stays longer than 30 days. This shift signals increasing tension in U.S.-Canada relations, exacerbated by trade disputes and recent tariffs.
U.S. to Enforce Visitor Registration Law for Canadians Amid Tensions
U.S. to Enforce Visitor Registration Law for Canadians Amid Tensions
New regulation requires Canadians staying 30 days or more in the U.S. to register with authorities as tensions rise between the two nations.
The United States government announced it will begin implementing a law requiring Canadian visitors who intend to stay for 30 days or more to officially register with U.S. authorities. This information was confirmed by two Canadian officials who preferred to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the matter. Historically, this law had not been consistently enforced for Canadians entering via land borders.
This new directive is based on immigration laws stipulating that foreign nationals aged 14 and older must register and submit fingerprints if their stay in the U.S. exceeds 30 days. However, enforcement among Canadians has been lax until now.
Shortly after taking office, President Trump issued an executive order to change this policy, emphasizing compliance for previously unregistered foreign nationals. The order hints at strict penalties for non-compliance, classifying it as a priority for civil and criminal enforcement.
Canadian authorities have confirmed receipt of the U.S. notice, first reported by ABC News. Requests for comments from representatives of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services were not immediately answered. A later release from U.S.C.I.S. indicated that detailed guidance would be issued for foreign nationals who have not yet registered.
This development marks yet another point of friction between the U.S. and Canada, which has recently seen heightened confrontations, including imposing tariffs. Earlier in March, the Trump administration enacted a hefty 25 percent tariff on numerous Canadian imports, subsequently pausing it for select goods. Following a retaliatory action by Ontario against earlier tariffs, Trump announced an impending doubling of tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum.
The executive order regarding foreign national registration also extends to undocumented immigrants aged 14 and older, warning that failure to register can lead to criminal prosecution. Notably, the directive states that those with green cards, individuals already undergoing deportation proceedings, and tourists entering the U.S. with valid visas are exempt from these registration requirements.
Matina Stevis-Gridneff leads coverage for The Times as the Canada bureau chief, and Karoun Demirjian serves as a breaking news reporter.
