Not just snowbirds — all Canadians travelling to U.S. will be photographed

Last week, we told you about a new rule impacting Canadian snowbirds: if you plan to stay in the U.S. for more than 30 days, prepare to be photographed and fingerprinted at the border.

This week, another new rule that impacts all U.S.-bound travellers — not just snowbirds: the American government has announced plans to photograph every foreign visitor when they enter and exit the country by all modes of transport.

The regulation is set to take effect on Dec. 26, and will likely take years to fully implement. But the message is clear: if Canadians want to cross the border, they will eventually have to comply with America’s facial biometrics program.

"In select cases, fingerprints may also need to be collected, but only as required to better establish links to previously collected traveller biometric records," the department said.

Oh, and your photo could be held by the U.S. for up to 75 years.

Joining us on tonight’s Closer Look to help explain the new rules is Len Saunders, a dual citizen and prominent immigration lawyer based in Washington State.

Hosted by Village Media’s Michael Friscolanti and Scott Sexsmith, and produced by Derek Turner, Closer Look is a new daily podcast that goes way beyond the headlines with insightful, in-depth conversations featuring our reporters and editors, leading experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.

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