When President Donald Trump returned to the White House for his second term in January 2025, he expressed his desire for Canada to become the 51st state of the United States, a move that was not well received by his Canadian counterpart. However, a new CNN report has now pointed out that millions of Americans are now seeking Canadian citizenship due to a number of factors.
But there is a catch. Anyone can obtain Canadian citizenship if they can provide proof of direct lineage, a rule that was not applicable before 2023 and was ruled unconstitutional after 2023. Bill C-3’s amendment to the Canadian Citizenship Act opened the way for many Americans seeking Canadian citizenship at a time of political upheaval, violence and uncertainty in the US.
American applications will jump tenfold
According to Cassandra Fultz, a regulated immigration consultant based in Ottawa, the number of cases in the US has increased tenfold, from an average of 10 to 100 applications per month. In an interview with CNN, she noted that if Americans can meet the required eligibility, they have a chance to obtain citizenship. People can make claims going back generations, be it grandparents or great-grandparents. However, if the chain of citizenship were to break somewhere along the line, where perhaps an ancestor renounced their citizenship, the right to Canadian citizenship would cease.
Increase in marriage requests from the US
Citing the National Library and Archives of Québec (BAnQ), the report says that in February 2025, the archive services received 100 requests from the US for marriage, death and baptism records. However, in February 2026, this number increased to 1,500.
Why are Americans interested in Canadian citizenship?
Fultz explained that she fielded inquiries from Americans after every US election cycle, regardless of the party in power. However, demand has always been short-term, which used to peak in November but subside in January. However, she described the current wave as different. She said: “Since November 2024 there has been a very steady increase in interest in moving to Canada, which is unprecedented. I have never seen that in 17 years in the business.”
US residents report scary times during Trump’s administration
New York state resident Ellen Robillard, a Democrat who said she could no longer recognize her world in Washington, said she sought Canadian citizenship in case the U.S. economy began to deteriorate. She said having Canadian citizenship would mean she could get in the car with her family and drive away.
For Rachel Rabb, a woman who left the US in 2018, Canada’s decision to revise Bill C-3 of the Canadian Citizenship Act was “heaven sent.” Rabb, a biracial woman who left the U.S. to live in Latin America, said it’s a scary time. That’s because the Trump administration ordered a US-backed military strike against a powerful drug cartel leader in Mexico in February, leading to violence across the country. Trump also signed a proclamation earlier this month promising more military strikes in Latin America. According to Rabb, such a move could bring further destabilization, chaos and violence.
She also cited immigration policy within the US as a reason not to return to Washington. She said, “So many people are being targeted even if you look Latino or if you look like you might be an immigrant. They’re even arresting American citizens and allies. It’s a very scary time right now because anyone can be targeted.”
While many cite fear as the primary motivation to seek opportunities in Canada, some others keep it as a backup.
