Press Releases

New Rules For Canadians Will Impact Tourism, Further Strain U.S.-Canada Relations

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) led 28 colleagues in sending a letter to the Trump Administration seeking clarity about new requirements for Canadians traveling to the U.S. On March 12, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security announced new requirements that include certain Canadian citizens who have historically been exempt from registration and fingerprinting when staying in the U.S. for more than 30 days.

In the letter, Kennedy raised concerns about the negative impacts of the policy on U.S.-Canada relations and communities whose economies rely on Canadian visitors, and inquired about implementation at already-overwhelmed ports of entry. Kennedy and his colleagues wrote: “This is a major reversal in U.S. immigration policies with Canada, especially as many Canadian visitors arriving at U.S. land ports of entry for business or pleasure have generally not been required to complete standard arrival and departure forms….This policy is customary given the historically friendly relationship between the U.S. and Canada as well as the reciprocal travel and tourism economies that are so closely intertwined.”

Canadian travel to the U.S. has already declined considerably over the last few months. Adding to this existing downturn, the members wrote that the “administration’s new requirements on Canadians could increase wait times for lawful and regular border crossings, further deter travel to the U.S., and shock local economies reliant on these visitors.” These new requirements will impose additional burdens, worsening the already diminished travel numbers.

Congressman Kennedy was joined by his colleagues in requesting that the administration provide answers for Canadian travelers and border communities, including if NEXUS or Mobile Passport Control meet new registration requirements for those crossing land borders. 

Members of Congress who joined the letter include Reps. Paul D. Tonko (NY-20), Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Dina Titus (NV-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05), George Latimer (NY-16), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Becca Balint (VT-AL), Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01), J. Luis Correa (CA-46), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), James P. McGovern (MA-02), Joseph D. Morelle (NY-25), Susie Lee (NV-03), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Jesús G. "Chuy" García (IL-04), Suzan K. DelBene (WA-01), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), and Maggie Goodlander (NH-02). 

To view the full letter, click here.

Background:

In March, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services published a rule requiring that noncitizens over the age of 14 who enter the U.S. and stay for longer than 30 days must undergo registration and fingerprinting. Notably, these new requirements include Canadians who had previously been exempt from registration at land ports of entry. 

Western New York relies heavily on regular and seamless Canadian travel to the U.S. In 2023, personal vehicle crossings from Canada to Buffalo, New York, increased by 50 percent, facilitating nearly four million Canadians traveling to U.S. destinations for business and recreation. As a Member of the House Homeland Security Committee and Co-Chair of the Northern Border Caucus, Congressman Kennedy has continued to urge the Trump Administration to reduce travel and trade tensions with Canada and ensure that local businesses do not suffer. 

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