U.S. Tightens Visitor Registration for Canadians Amidst Political Tensions

In a unilateral move, the U.S. announces stricter visitor registration for Canadians, signaling increasing friction between the neighboring countries.

The United States government has announced it will enforce a visitor registration law requiring Canadians planning to stay for 30 days or longer to register with U.S. authorities. According to two anonymous sources within the Canadian government, this ruling follows what has been a sporadic application of this legislation, primarily focused on foreign nationals aged 14 and older who enter the U.S. through land borders.

President Trump, on his first day in office, indicated a shift in immigration policy, issuing an executive order aimed at enforcing the law for foreign nationals who have yet to register. This order emphasizes that non-compliance will be treated as both civil and criminal enforcement priorities. Canadian authorities have confirmed receiving the notice, which was initially reported by ABC News.

The notice comes amidst heightened tensions between the U.S. and Canada, marked by a series of economic measures including tariffs. Recently, the Trump administration imposed a 25 percent tariff on a majority of Canadian imports, escalating trade disputes further. Claims regarding annexation of Canada, transforming it into the 51st state, have also circulated, contributing to a fraught bilateral atmosphere.

The Department of Homeland Security has indicated that the new regulations will impact undocumented immigrants aged 14 and older, warning that failure to register could lead to criminal prosecution. However, exceptions will apply for green card holders and those currently in deportation proceedings.

As this controversial requirement unfolds, Canadian authorities and citizens brace for the effects of a more stringent immigration landscape between the two countries.