Several Canadian snowbirds have recently shared their experiences of being fingerprinted and photographed at the U.S. border this month as part of the registration process for their winter stay. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has confirmed that this procedure is now standard for travelers staying in the United States for more than 29 days.
Jacquie and Steve Ree from Ladysmith, B.C., encountered this process when they arrived at the Peace Arch Border Crossing between Surrey, B.C., and Blaine, Wash., on October 9. Although they were aware of the new registration requirement, they were surprised when a CBP officer directed them to complete the registration at the border, leading them to undergo fingerprinting and a search of their motorhome in secondary inspection.
Despite initial confusion and a waiting time of 1.5 hours, the Rees eventually completed the registration after being initially told they couldn’t do so at the border. The couple was charged a total of $60 US for the registration, which Jacquie Ree described as a “bit of a money grab” due to inconsistencies in the process and lack of clarity from CBP officers.
The requirement for travelers staying 30 days or longer in the U.S. to register with the government was established through an executive order by U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this year. Failure to comply can result in fines or jail time. While this rule has been in effect since April, many Canadian snowbirds are encountering it for the first time this snowbird season, leading to uncertainty and frustration.
Air travelers are usually exempt from this registration as they receive an electronic arrival record upon entry, unlike land travelers. CBP spokesperson Jessica Turner explained that travelers can either pre-apply for the record online or through the CBP One app before entering the U.S., or they can register at the border, with a $30 US fee for each traveler. This process includes fingerprinting and photography to ensure compliance with U.S. entry requirements.
Immigration lawyers suggest an alternative for travelers who do not wish to register at the border. By completing the USCIS form G-325R online within 30 days of arrival, travelers can avoid the registration process at the border, with no fee and no fingerprinting required for Canadians.
The confusion surrounding registration options stems from the involvement of separate immigration agencies, CBP and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), in the process. Snowbirds are advised that if they choose to register at the border, they are likely to undergo fingerprinting and photography in secondary inspection, while completing the G-325R form online provides a more streamlined experience.
Stephen Fine, president of Snowbird Advisor, is closely monitoring the registration process this season to provide updates to snowbirds. He highlighted the importance of clarity in the registration process and expressed concerns that some travelers may not be presented with all registration options, potentially limiting their choices.
Snowbirds like Brenda Paige and Caroline Horne shared contrasting experiences at different border crossings, reflecting the varying approaches taken by CBP officers. Overall, the new registration requirements are causing some confusion and mixed reactions among Canadian snowbirds visiting the U.S.