Canada joins other countries in updating travel advisories for U.S.
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The Ambassador Bridge border crossing between Windsor, Ontario, Canada, and Detroit, Michigan. Photo: Geoff Robins/AFP via Getty Images
Canada has updated its travel advisory for the U.S. following the Trump administration's immigration crackdown.
The big picture: The update on a registration rule for visitors to the U.S. comes after several European nations changed their advisories in response to Trump administration rollbacks on transgender rights and as Canadians and other foreign nationals have been detained by U.S. immigration authorities over travel visa issues.
- The new interim rule — set to take effect April 11 — requires Canadians staying in the U.S. for longer than 30 days to register with the U.S. government. It comes amid a Trump administration trade war with Canada and the president's talk of annexing the North American ally.
Driving the news: "Failure to comply with the registration requirement could result in penalties, fines, and misdemeanor prosecution," states the advisory that was updated Friday and which directs Canadians to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website to determine if they need to register with USCIS and how to do so.
- Most Canadians are exempt from a fingerprinting requirement. However, the advisory says it will apply in certain circumstances.
Context: The rule follows a Trump executive order requiring previously unregistered foreign travelers to comply with an existing law that says foreign nationals 14 or older not already registered with the U.S. government must do so if they plan to stay in the country for 30 days or longer.
- The existing requirement typically wasn't enforced for Canadian visitors previously, per the Vancouver Sun.
What they're saying: When asked for comment on countries updating their travel guidance for the U.S. to reflect Trump administration policies, a State Department official said Tuesday questions on this were a matter for those governments but added: "We will enforce visa rules and other conditions of entry.
- "Prohibiting travel into the United States by those who might pose a threat or violate conditions of their visa is key to protecting the American people."
By the numbers: About one million "snowbirds" visit the U.S. every year, according to the Canadian Snowbird Association.
What we're watching: The association is working with congressional representatives in an attempt to "amend this registration requirement and exempt" Canadian travelers from having to register with USCIS, per a CSA statement posted to its site earlier this month.
Zoom out: The Trump administration's actions have prompted a surge in demand for Canadian-made products over the border, with some Canadians joining a global "boycott USA" backlash.
Go deeper: Canadian PM slams Trump's "unjustified" tariffs
Editor's note: This article has been updated with more details from the advisory and comment from the State Department and the Canadian Snowbird Association.
