Canadian Snowbirds Face Fingerprinting, Confusing Rules at U.S. border
Table of Contents
Canadian snowbirds are encountering unexpected hurdles and increased scrutiny when crossing the U.S. border this winter season, with many reporting thay are now routinely fingerprinted and photographed upon arrival. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed to CBC News that these measures are now standard procedure for those registering for stays longer than 29 days, sparking frustration and confusion among travelers.
New Registration Requirements Cause Uncertainty
Jacquie and Steve Ree of Ladysmith, british Columbia, experienced the new process firsthand on october 9th at the Peace Arch Border Crossing between Surrey, B.C., and Blaine, Washington. Aware of the new registration requirement,they agreed to complete the process at the border,unaware of the extent of the scrutiny that awaited them. “I’m watching them open all our hatches, and we’re thinking, ‘Oh my god,'” Jacquie Ree recounted, describing a thorough search of their motorhome.
The couple waited over 90 minutes, initially told they couldn’t register at the border, only to be later offered the option by a third CBP officer.This officer then proceeded to photograph and fingerprint them for data collection purposes.Ree admitted to a moment of anxiety, stating, “I thought, ‘Jeez, I hope I don’t have anything on my record they’re going to find,'” but confirmed she had nothing to worry about. The couple ultimately paid a $60 US fee for their completed registration.
Ree expressed concern that the fee felt like a “bit of a money grab,” and lamented the inconsistent details provided by CBP officers. “they didn’t really know what they were doing,” she said. “I felt bad for them.”
A Trump-era Policy Now in Effect
The increased data collection is a result of a policy implemented during the Trump administration, requiring CBP to collect biometric data – fingerprints and photos – from most foreign nationals entering the U.S. while the policy was initially slated to take effect in 2018, it was repeatedly delayed. CBP spokesperson Michael Friel explained that whether travelers are offered the G-325R option is entirely at the discretion of individual CBP officers. “It’s completely at their discretion,” she said.
Conflicting Experiences and Agency Disconnect
Experiences at the border have been inconsistent. While ree was offered the G-325R form but chose to register at the border, Brenda Paige and her husband, Dan, of Calgary, were automatically sent for secondary inspection and fingerprinting upon arriving at the Sweet Grass, Montana border crossing on October 2nd. Paige stated the process felt entirely mandatory.
Caroline Horne of Burlington, Ontario, reported a different experience at the Peace Bridge crossing in Buffalo, New York, where she and her husband were allowed entry without any mention of registration requirements after informing the officer of their 30-day stay. Horne subsequently completed the G-325R form online after learning about it from CBC News.
When questioned about the G-325R form, CBP’s Turner dismissed its relevance, stating, “It does not replace the requirement for an I-94, nor is it relevant to the entry process for Canadian citizens.”
Behm attributes the confusion to the involvement of two separate agencies – CBP and USCIS – and a lack of coordination between them. “They’re not always fluid in the way that they operate or how their operations or decisions impact each other,” she explained. She noted that undergoing secondary inspection almost guarantees fingerprinting and photography.
Growing Concerns and Resources for Snowbirds
Stephen Fine, president of Snowbird Advisor, a resource website for Canadian snowbirds, is tracking the unfolding situation. “There’s so many questions coming in,” he said. “We get dozens of emails weekly about this issue.” Fine fears some snowbirds may be pressured into applying for an I-94 at the border without being informed of the G-325R alternative.
Canadians already in the U.S. can check their I-94 status on the CBP website. https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home
the evolving situation highlights the need for clear interaction and consistent application of the new rules to ensure a smoother border crossing experience for Canadian snowbirds this winter.
