Millions of Americans will now become Canadians... A new law has been implemented in Canada, sparking a race to obtain citizenship.

News Topical, Digital Desk : Canada recently underwent a major change in its citizenship rules, making millions of Americans potentially eligible to become Canadian citizens. This change came into effect on December 15th, and the number of applicants from the US has increased rapidly.

Now, under the new rule, if a person has a Canadian-born ancestor, such as a grandparent or great-grandparent, they can also claim citizenship. Previously, this right was limited to just one generation, but now it has been extended. People like Zack Laud of Farmington, Minnesota, were surprised to learn that because his grandmother was born in Canada, he could already be considered a Canadian citizen.

Increased pressure on lawyers and offices

This new rule has put a significant amount of work pressure on immigration lawyers in the US and Canada. Many lawyers reported receiving a large number of calls for citizenship applications and advice. Attorney Nicholas Berning said his office is completely overwhelmed.

Lawyer Amandeep Hayer said that while he used to see around 200 cases a year, he now sees more than 20 consultations daily. There are now hundreds of thousands of Americans in Canada who can claim citizenship based on their family history.

Who does the new rule affect and how?

Under the new law, people born before December 15th can be considered citizens if they can provide proof of Canadian ancestry. But the rules are stricter for those born after December 15th. They must prove that their Canadian parents lived in Canada for at least 1,095 days.

Those who are already applying will need to apply for a 'Certificate of Citizenship.' This process costs approximately 75 Canadian dollars (about 55 US dollars).

Application Process

Many Americans see it as a future of security and better opportunities. Some are also moving to Canada due to political reasons and dissatisfaction with US policies. Michelle Cunha of Massachusetts said that after 30 years of political activism, she decided she wanted to immigrate to Canada.

Meanwhile, Troy Hicks of Nevada said he received negative feedback about the United States while traveling abroad, which made him consider a Canadian passport a better option. Maureen Sullivan of Florida said immigration enforcement and security concerns in the United States made her choose this option for the future.

Application cost

Many people are applying with the help of lawyers or experts, which can cost thousands of dollars. Some are completing the process themselves by filling out online forms. According to government data, the application process can take approximately 10 months, and more than 56,000 applications are currently pending.

Rising numbers and concerns

Last year, about 24,500 U.S. citizens obtained dual Canadian citizenship. Between December and January alone, 1,480 were granted citizenship. Canadian international affairs expert Fen Hampson said Canada is generally welcoming, but some worry this could delay the processing of refugees and temporary visitors.

He also said that there are some people who have very little connection to Canada, but still they obtain citizenship, which is also being debated.

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