Published on 5/30/2026
It seems that an increasing number of Americans have resorted to fleeing north by obtaining Canadian citizenship, as a safe haven for many of them who fear “political uncertainty.”
Official Canadian data showed that an increasing number of Americans are seeking to obtain Canadian passports, after amendments affected the rules governing the granting of Canadian citizenship through lineage.
Data from the Canadian Immigration Agency indicated a significant increase in the number of approvals for requests to prove citizenship through lineage by more than a thousand approvals per month since the beginning of the year, under the new rules that allow a wider segment of Canadian descendants to claim citizenship after this was previously limited to descendants of the first generation.
This compares to just 275 additional approvals in December 2025 when the new law came into effect.
The data also shows that about 48% of additional approvals through February came from the United States.
An open choice amid political uncertainty
Immigration lawyers say that many in the United States view Canada as an attractive destination to live or study, especially in light of the recent political uncertainty in the United States.
Reuters news agency quoted Nick Berning, an immigration lawyer residing in the United States, as saying that those newly granted citizenship under the law will likely remain outside Canada, but many want to keep their options open.
Berning added, “The current interest in obtaining Canadian citizenship is certainly influenced by American policy. They want to remain in the United States, but if conditions become unbearable, they want a way out.”
Political divisions have worsened in the United States, as opinion polls indicate growing dissatisfaction with the administration of US President Donald Trump.
The new citizenship law in Canada came in response to a court ruling issued in 2023, which considered limiting the granting of citizenship to the first generation born abroad an unconstitutional measure.
Those who have lived outside Canada for generations can now be considered citizens if they can prove their lineage, but that stands in stark contrast to the Canadian government’s efforts in the past few years to reduce immigration levels.
