According to the new Interim Final Rules of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the United States requires that more than 30 days visits, register with authorities and fingerprints be taken.
The new requirements, effective April 11th, apply to all foreigners over the age of 14 who cross the US Canada land border and stay in the US for more than 30 days.
The rules were filed with the Federal Registrar on Wednesday amid escalating a trade war between the United States and its north neighbours. Meanwhile, Canada announced US tariffs of $21 billion on Wednesday.
Rubio pushes back against Mahmoud Khalil’s defender: “It’s not about freedom of speech.”
Lined vehicles crossing the US on the Canadian-US border in St. Bernard de Lacor, Quebec, Canada, Thursday, March 6, 2025
This change will affect some Canadians who were previously exempt from this requirement. This means that many Canadian snowbirds (retireers who spend several winter months in US states) must now register with the government or face fines.
The interim final rules ensure that children under the age of 14 whom parents or guardians must register are not fingerprinted. Biometrics are also abandoned for Canadian business and tourist visitors entering land, but they must also register if they remain in the country for more than 30 days.
The DHS recognizes that “the affected population affected by this rule are people who are currently not registered and who use the general registration form specified under this rule.”
“DHS estimates the affected population is between 2.2 million and 3.2 million,” the rules state.
Images in this file show Guatemalan immigration agents fingerprinting travelers during secondary screening, under the direction of a US Homeland Security Advisor in Guatemala on August 26, 2019. (John Moore/Getty Images)
Trump threatens further tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, electricity and vehicles
The DHS and the US Citizenship and Immigration Agency (USCIS) approved in February their intention to comply with President Donald Trump’s inauguration date executive order, which requires all immigrants to register with the US government.
The January 20th executive order directs the DHS to ensure that all immigrants are registered under the Immigration Nationality Act. The previously not fully enforced law requires that non-citizens of 14 years or longer must register and fingerprint within 30 days of entry, and all registered non-citizens over the age of 18 must always maintain proof of registration.
The truck will cross the US-Canada border along the Ambassador Bridge in Windsor, Ontario on March 8, 2025 (via Getty Images via Geoff Robins/AFP)
“When an alien is registered and appears for a fingerprint (unless it is abandoned), the DHS will issue evidence of registration. Aliens over the age of 18 must always own it,” the post on the USCIS website said. “If not complying, criminal and civil penalties could be achieved, including misdemeanor prosecution, fines and imprisonment.”
“A lot of foreigners in the US have already registered, as required by law,” the Post said. “However, a considerable number of foreigners present in the United States had no direct way to register and meet their obligations under INA 262. USCIS has established an online process in which G-325R, biometric information (registration), and unregistered aliens register and comply with the laws required by the INA.”
Click here to get the Fox News app
The USCIS states, “Registration is not an immigration status, and registration documents do not create an immigration status, establish employment approval, or provide any other rights or benefits under INA or other US law.”
Daniel Wallace is a news and political reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and to X:@danimwallace.
Source link
