- A recent change in Canada's citizenship requirements has led to a significant surge in applications from Americans seeking dual citizenship.
- The new law, effective Dec. 15, extends Canadian citizenship by descent to individuals born before that date who can demonstrate a direct Canadian ancestor, such as a grandparent.
- Immigration lawyers in both the United States and Canada report being inundated with clients, with some practices experiencing a dramatic increase in citizenship-related cases.
- Many American applicants are motivated by political issues, including the immigration policies of Donald Trump's administration, alongside family heritage and job prospects.
- While the application fee is modest, processing times for a certificate of citizenship are currently around 10 months, with over 56,000 individuals awaiting a decision.
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