US Updates its Longer Stay Policy; Canadians No Longer Required to be Fingerprinted
by Marsha Mowers
Canadian air travel to the U.S. remains well down from previous levels.
Canadian travellers to the US will be exempt from new fingerprinting requirements imposed on all other foreign nationals for longer stays, according to a report by the CBC.
The news outlet reports Department of Homeland Security has changed its policy and Canadians need to still apply for registration however they will not have to be fingerprinted. The new rule is expected to take effect April 11.
The change comes during a time when US tariffs and talks of annexation threaten both countries’ economy and relationship.
On February 25, a new policy was announced requiring all foreign nationals, including Canadians, to register for longer-term stays in the United States of 30 days or longer. Any foreign national above the age of 14 needs to register or submit an application on behalf of their under 14 aged children, by creating a USCIS online account. The registration applies to land crossings only as travellers by air will be automatically registered.
The US has said that failure to comply with “The Alien Registration Requirement,” Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion as it is called, may result in criminal and civil penalties, up to and including misdemeanor prosecution, the imposition of fines, and incarceration.
