Snowbirds have to handle fingerprints soon for US trips according to new Homeland Security rules
Canadians and other foreign nationals planning to stay in the US for 30 days or longer will soon have to apply for registration and fingerprint with the Ministry of Internal Security.
The draft rules are expected to be in force 11. April, According to media reports. The Nationality and Immigration Services of the United States (USCIS) did not respond to the request of CBC News through the time of publication.
Although the Canadians have long benefited from exceptions to some US travel laws due to close relations of countries – only citizenship will not exclude travelers, including snow birdsfrom these new regulations.
A spokesman for the global jobs of Canada says he “monitors this development carefully.”
Changes come because the tariff threats of President Donald Trump continue to endanger the USA economy.
Immigration lawyer with headquarters in Montreal Patrice Brunet said that the changes would mark the “very drastic shift of politics”, where in the foreseeable future the Canadians will be considered, “regular citizens coming from any other country”, not the US friends
Any foreign citizen over 14 years of age who must register or apply on behalf of his children must create a USCIS Online Account. More information on how to create an account is available on USCIS website.
The request applies to children under the age of 14, but parents or guardians are responsible for signing them.
Snowbirds is treated as aliens, “says Advocate
Rudy Buttegnol, President of the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CAPP) – A advocacy organization representing about 250,000 members across Canada – said snow birds that visit routinely now six months of the year “are really shocked as being treated like Aliens” after being established in the communities south of the border.
“I hear that people are not only annoyed, but also offended,” Buttegnol said. “Together, with the idea of Canada to become 51. The state, it seems like a deliberate attempt to irritate the Canadians.”
Examples of people who are already registered include permanent residents of American and foreign nationals who have received employment authorities, border cards for transition and visa immigrants or non -non -non -cloth. Foreign nationals who received the I-94 or I-94W forms are also exempted, even if the enrollment period is expired.
Carrying proof of registration at all times
Once DHS issues evidence of the registration of an adult passenger, they will have to be worn at all times while in the United States
Brunet noted that the order relied on US police to “stop anyone who seems not an American, which is just anyone.”
A statement from the White House published on January 20 explains that people who violate immigration laws are facing civic and criminal punishments, such as fines and criminal prosecution.
It seems that any Canadian who travels to the United States for more than 30 days will now have to register with the US Government and be finger -printed.
Brunet pointed to the “sharp language” used in Executive command describe foreign nationals who excessive their visas excessively.
The document entitled “The Protection of the US people from invasion” claims that many people who are illegally “in the United States” represent significant threats to national security and public security “and” their presence in the United States cost taxpayers of billions of dollars at the federal, state and local levels. “
“It is very different from, you know, typical snowbeling that goes to Florida or Arizona in the winter,” Brunet said.
