The law, known as Bill C-3, has led to over 56,000 applications being registered since it took effect, according to Canadian authorities. Immigration lawyers in the US and Canada report being overwhelmed by clients seeking help with citizenship applications. Attorney Amandeep Hayer's practice in Vancouver went from about 200 citizenship cases per year to more than 20 consults per day. According to The Independent - Main, attorney Nicholas Berning's practice in Bellingham, Washington, is 'pretty much flooded' with citizenship cases. Berning described shifting other work away to push these cases through.
Many applicants are motivated by a desire to secure dual citizenship, with some Americans citing President Donald Trump's policies on immigration and other topics as a driving factor. According to The Independent - Main, Zack Loud, an American seeking Canadian citizenship, described how he and his wife were already considering jobs outside the country, but the citizenship law pushed Canada to the top of their list. Michelle Cunha, another American applicant, told The Independent - Main that she had put in her best effort for 30 years. Under the new law, those born on or after December 15, 2025, must show their parent met a residency requirement of 1,095 days in Canada. Hayer explained that applicants are seeking recognition of a right they already have, comparing it to a baby born in Canada being Canadian even without a birth certificate.
My wife and I were already talking about potentially looking at jobs outside the country, but citizenship pushed Canada way up on our list.
Hayer, who advocated for the new law in the Parliament of Canada, noted that the law clarifies citizenship rights for those with Canadian ancestry. However, several unknowns remain, including the exact number of Americans potentially eligible, the typical processing time for applications, and whether any legal challenges or political opposition will emerge. The total number of applications received since the law took effect has not been fully confirmed beyond the 56,000 figure.
We’ve kind of shifted a lot of other work away in order to push these cases through.
You are Canadian, and you’re considered to be one your whole life. That’s really what you’re applying for, the recognition of a right you already have vested.
The best way I can put it is like, if a baby’s born tomorrow in Canada, the baby’s Canadian even though they don’t have the birth certificate.
I put in my best effort for 30 years.