The Trump administration issued two new executive orders on August 6 that broaden the definition of individuals ineligible for automatic U.S. birthright citizenship and target “birth‑tourism” travelers. The orders follow a January 2025 attempt that was struck down by the courts, and legal experts anticipate similar challenges.
Canada expands citizenship by descent
On December 15 2025 Canada’s Citizenship Act was amended by Bill C‑3. The change allows Canadian citizenship to be passed down by descent beyond the first generation:
- Grandchildren, great‑grandchildren and further descendants born before December 15 2025 are automatically Canadian citizens if they can trace an unbroken line to a Canadian ancestor.
- For those born after that date, a parent must have accumulated at least 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada before the child’s birth to transmit citizenship.
Since the amendment, thousands of Americans have applied for proof of Canadian citizenship. Many seek a second passport or a “back‑up” option rather than immediate relocation, citing Canada’s political stability and social benefits such as publicly funded health care.
Who is applying and why
- LGBTQ+ and transgender Americans have increasingly pursued Canadian citizenship, sometimes requesting urgent processing when facing potential harm or hardship.
- Parents are applying for their children to secure future travel, work, and education opportunities, including access to lower tuition fees at Canadian institutions.
- Some applicants view the Canadian passport as a strategic alternative amid U.S. policy uncertainty.
Claiming citizenship by descent
Bill C‑3 does not require a separate naturalization application. Eligible individuals must obtain a Canadian citizenship certificate to confirm their status. The process involves:
- Documenting each generation between the applicant and the Canadian‑born ancestor—birth certificates, marriage certificates, name‑change records, etc.
- Completing the required application form and submitting the full package to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Current processing times average 19 months. Prospective claimants can use CanadaVisa’s “citizenship by descent eligibility tracker” as an initial screening tool.
Practical considerations
- Verify that the lineage is continuous with no breaks (e.g., adoption or loss of citizenship may affect eligibility).
- Gather long‑form birth certificates and any legal name‑change documents for every ancestor in the chain.
- Anticipate a lengthy processing period and factor it into any travel or residency plans.
- For applicants born after December 15 2025, ensure the parent meets the 1,095‑day physical‑presence requirement before the child’s birth.
The contrast between tightening U.S. birthright citizenship rules and Canada’s broadened descent‑based citizenship highlights a growing interest among Americans in securing dual nationality as a hedge against policy volatility.
Source article: www.cicnews.com
