Latest news with #LenSaunders
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
No evidence of mandatory face scans for Canadians at US border
"Facial recognition checks now mandatory for Canadians entering the U.S. by car," reads the text inside a May 19, 2025 Facebook photo. The caption accompanying the image, which was also shared on TikTok, claims new border screening procedures would include photographing travelers for the purposes of verifying their identification documents. Separate posts spread similar claims about required facial recognition scans for Canadians at land border crossings on Facebook and Instagram. With an emphasis on immigration enforcement, the first months of Donald Trump's second presidency have been marked by concerns of potentially unlawful deportations and moves to scrap the longstanding birthright citizenship policy. The president's occupation with border security precipitated trade tensions with Canada, after he alleged his country's northern neighbor fails to stop the dangerous drug fentanyl and undocumented migrants from reaching the United States. The changing relationship between the two countries already led to misleading claims about commerce and travel, and the rumor that Canadians would now be subjected to mandatory facial recognition scans are similarly inaccurate. Recent reporting from the tech magazine Wired found CBP was planning to photograph every traveler entering and exiting the United States in personal vehicles to match their face to their identification documents (archived here and here). According to the CBP website, biometric data collection, which can include face scans and fingerprinting, is currently in testing for entries by vehicles at border crossings into Buffalo, New York and Brownsville, Texas (archived here and here). Publications from the CBP about the Buffalo and Brownsville crossings, as well as a report on a testing period for the technology at entry points into Arizona and Texas, said the system would attempt to take photos of each occupant of a vehicle entering through certain marked lanes but that travelers may still opt out of the data collection by crossing the border through different gates (archived here, here and here). A CBP spokesman told AFP in a May 27 email that the collection of biometric data "helps track overstays" and is not a new process. Facial recognition scans already exist at US airports, seaports and for pedestrian crossing the US-Canada border (archived here). Len Saunders, an immigration lawyer practicing in Blaine, Washington close to the border with British Columbia (archived here), said he had seen travelers prompted to take face scans at nearby crossings when entering on foot, but not by car. He also remained skeptical on how such technology could be deployed to efficiently detect facial images of people inside vehicles, due to greater logistical challenges than directly scanning faces of air travelers and pedestrians. "Are they going to hold up a camera and take everyone's picture? Well, if they do that it's going to delay the whole process," Saunders said. Wired reported the system testing was still turning out errors and that CBP was calling for pitches from tech companies for tools which could scan the faces of people inside vehicles. US citizens have the option to refuse scans at pedestrian land and air entry points (archived here). The fact-checking organization Snopes reported Canadian and Bermudian passport holders travelling to the United States for tourism are not required to provide biometric data. The Government of Canada's online travel advice states most Canadian citizens entering the United States are exempt from biometric collection except those who require a visa or documentation of their arrival and exit dates (archived here). While most foreign nationals must provide fingerprints under a new registration policy (archived here) for stays in the United States longer than 30 days, the Department of Homeland Security clarified this requirement is waived for "Canadian nonimmigrants" (archived here and here). For Saunders, new facial recognition procedures do not necessarily raise privacy concerns as travelers already consent to screening when they cross a border, but he said the addition of data collection categories could be "a slippery slope." Read more AFP's reporting on misinformation and disinformation in Canada here.
AFP
3 days ago
- Politics
- AFP
No evidence of mandatory face scans for Canadians at US border
"Facial recognition checks now mandatory for Canadians entering the U.S. by car," reads the text inside a May 19, 2025 Facebook photo. The caption accompanying the image, which was also shared on TikTok, claims new border screening procedures would include photographing travelers for the purposes of verifying their identification documents. Separate posts spread similar claims about required facial recognition scans for Canadians at land border crossings on Facebook and Instagram. Image Screenshot of a Facebook post taken May 30, 2025 With an emphasis on immigration enforcement, have been marked by concerns of potentially unlawful deportations and moves to scrap the longstanding birthright citizenship policy. The president's occupation with border security precipitated trade tensions with Canada, after he alleged his country's northern neighbor fails to stop the dangerous drug fentanyl and undocumented migrants from reaching the United States. The changing relationship between the two countries already led to misleading claims about commerce and travel, and the rumor that Canadians would now be subjected to mandatory facial recognition scans are similarly . Recent reporting from the tech magazine Wired found CBP was planning to photograph every traveler entering and exiting the United States in personal vehicles to match their face to their identification documents (archived here and here). According to the CBP website, biometric data collection, which can include face scans and fingerprinting, is currently in testing for entries by vehicles at border crossings into Buffalo, New York and Brownsville, Texas (archived here and here). Publications from the CBP about the Buffalo and Brownsville crossings, as well as a report on a testing period for the technology at entry points into Arizona and Texas, said the system would attempt to take photos of each occupant of a vehicle entering through certain marked lanes but that travelers may still opt out of the data collection by crossing the border through different gates (archived here, here and here). Image Screenshot of a US Customs and Border Control report taken May 30, 2025 Expanding biometric collection (archived here). Len Saunders, an immigration lawyer practicing in Blaine, Washington close to the border with British Columbia (archived here), said he had seen travelers prompted to take face scans at nearby crossings when entering on foot, but not by car. "Are they going to hold up a camera and take everyone's picture? Well, if they do that it's going to delay the whole process," Saunders said. Wired reported the system testing was still turning out errors and that CBP was calling for pitches from tech companies for tools which could scan the faces of people inside vehicles. US citizens have the option to refuse scans at pedestrian land and air entr (archived here). The fact-checking organization Snopes reported Canadian and Bermudian passport holders travelling to the United States for tourism are not required to provide biometric data. The Government of Canada's online travel advice states most Canadian citizens entering the United States are exempt from biometric collection except those who require a visa or documentation of their arrival and exit dates (archived here). For Saunders, new facial recognition procedures do not necessarily raise privacy concerns as travelers already consent to screening when they cross a border, but he said the addition of data collection categories could be "a slippery slope." Read more AFP's reporting on misinformation and disinformation in Canada here.
CTV News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Can a convicted felon like Donald Trump enter Canada?
In this file photo, U.S. President Donald Trump waves after stepping off Air Force One as he arrives for the G7 Summit, Friday, June 8, 2018, in Canadian Forces Base Bagotville, Canada. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) U.S. President Donald Trump plans to attend a G7 summit in Alberta next month, even though convicted felons are technically barred from entering Canada. 'It's very difficult to get into Canada if you have past criminal convictions,' immigration lawyer Len Saunders told 'But I'm assuming he has a diplomatic passport, so that trumps his inadmissibility.' In May 2024, just months before his re-election, Trump was found guilty of all 34 counts in a criminal 'hush money' trial involving adult actress Stormy Daniels. While Trump could have faced prison time, a fine, or probation, a judge ultimately granted him an unconditional discharge that only left Trump with a criminal record and the inglorious distinction of being the first convicted felon to be elected U.S. president. Trump, who has also launched a trade war and questioned Canada's sovereignty, is scheduled to attend the next G7 leaders' summit from June 15 to 17 in Kananaskis, Alta. Originally from Canada, Saunders now works as an attorney in Blaine, Wash., just across the border from Douglas, B.C. 'I have a steady stream of Americans who get denied entry going into Canada who come to my office in Blaine, because my office is literally within eyesight of the third busiest port of entry on the northern border,' he said. 'They come to see me because of old DUIs and other types of criminal convictions in the U.S., and they're shocked that they're not admissible to Canada.' Canadian immigration law is clear that being convicted of a crime prohibits a visitor from entering the country. While it's technically possible to apply for an official recognition of rehabilitation, these kinds of waivers are difficult to obtain and are typically granted at least five years after a criminal act or sentence. 'It has to be an older conviction, and it depends upon what type of conviction, it all depends upon the circumstances,' Saunders said. 'But I can almost guarantee you from what I've seen, a recent felony conviction, there's no way your average American would be admissible to Canada. Absolutely not.' Canadian border agents have access to FBI data that shows if someone has a U.S. criminal record. U.S. border officials can see similar information from the RCMP and will bar visitors convicted of crimes like drug possession, fraud, theft and sexual assault. Once Trump's term ends, Saunders imagines he could have trouble entering Canada with a normal civilian passport. Without a diplomatic passport, the same thing could happen to former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau if he plans to visit the U.S., because he has admitted to using a controlled substance. 'It's not a gray area, it's black and white – you're either admissible or you're not,' Saunders said. Saunders imagines something similar played out when former Toronto mayor Rob Ford was reportedly denied entry to the U.S. in 2014, which was after he admitted to smoking crack cocaine. B.C.-based immigration lawyer Nathan McQuarrie previously told The Canadian Press that the Canadian government has discretion to let people in, particularly for diplomatic reasons. 'While convictions could theoretically affect the admissibility of a U.S. president to Canada, the reality is that diplomatic considerations and special permits ... are likely to facilitate their entry, especially for official duties,' McQuarrie said. A spokesperson from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada declined to comment on Trump's upcoming trip. 'Due to privacy legislation, we cannot comment on individual cases,' the spokesperson told 'Inadmissibility decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.' The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Public Safety Canada did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In a previous statement, a CBSA spokesperson said, 'several factors are used in determining if an individual is admissible to Canada, including involvement in criminal activity, human rights violations, organized crime, security, health or financial reasons.' With files from The Canadian Press
CTV News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Can Trump visit Canada for the G7 if he's a convicted felon?
In this file photo, U.S. President Donald Trump waves after stepping off Air Force One as he arrives for the G7 Summit, Friday, June 8, 2018, in Canadian Forces Base Bagotville, Canada. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) U.S. President Donald Trump plans to attend a G7 summit in Alberta next month, even though convicted felons are technically barred from entering Canada. 'It's very difficult to get into Canada if you have past criminal convictions,' immigration lawyer Len Saunders told 'But I'm assuming he has a diplomatic passport, so that trumps his inadmissibility.' In May 2024, just months before his re-election, Trump was found guilty of all 34 counts in a criminal 'hush money' trial involving adult actress Stormy Daniels. While Trump could have faced prison time, a fine, or probation, a judge ultimately granted him an unconditional discharge that only left Trump with a criminal record and the inglorious distinction of being the first convicted felon to be elected U.S. president. Trump, who has also launched a trade war and questioned Canada's sovereignty, is scheduled to attend the next G7 leaders' summit from June 15 to 17 in Kananaskis, Alta. Originally from Canada, Saunders now works as an attorney in Blaine, Wash., just across the border from Douglas, B.C. 'I have a steady stream of Americans who get denied entry going into Canada who come to my office in Blaine, because my office is literally within eyesight of the third busiest port of entry on the northern border,' he said. 'They come to see me because of old DUIs and other types of criminal convictions in the U.S., and they're shocked that they're not admissible to Canada.' Canadian immigration law is clear that being convicted of a crime prohibits a visitor from entering the country. While it's technically possible to apply for an official recognition of rehabilitation, these kinds of waivers are difficult to obtain and are typically granted at least five years after a criminal act or sentence. 'It has to be an older conviction, and it depends upon what type of conviction, it all depends upon the circumstances,' Saunders said. 'But I can almost guarantee you from what I've seen, a recent felony conviction, there's no way your average American would be admissible to Canada. Absolutely not.' Canadian border agents have access to FBI data that shows if someone has a U.S. criminal record. U.S. border officials can see similar information from the RCMP and will bar visitors convicted of crimes like drug possession, fraud, theft and sexual assault. Once Trump's term ends, Saunders imagines he could have trouble entering Canada with a normal civilian passport. Without a diplomatic passport, the same thing could happen to former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau if he plans to visit the U.S., because he has admitted to using a controlled substance. 'It's not a gray area, it's black and white – you're either admissible or you're not,' Saunders said. Saunders imagines something similar played out when former Toronto mayor Rob Ford was reportedly denied entry to the U.S. in 2014, which was after he admitted to smoking crack cocaine. B.C.-based immigration lawyer Nathan McQuarrie previously told The Canadian Press that the Canadian government has discretion to let people in, particularly for diplomatic reasons. 'While convictions could theoretically affect the admissibility of a U.S. president to Canada, the reality is that diplomatic considerations and special permits ... are likely to facilitate their entry, especially for official duties,' McQuarrie said. A spokesperson from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada declined to comment on Trump's upcoming trip. 'Due to privacy legislation, we cannot comment on individual cases,' the spokesperson told 'Inadmissibility decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.' The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Public Safety Canada did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In a previous statement, a CBSA spokesperson said, 'several factors are used in determining if an individual is admissible to Canada, including involvement in criminal activity, human rights violations, organized crime, security, health or financial reasons.' With files from The Canadian Press
Global News
09-05-2025
- Global News
U.S. border officials reveal what contraband was seized at additional B.C. checkpoints
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is revealing some details about a multi-day border checkpoint operation that caused major northbound delays for travellers heading back into Canada. Multiple unexpected checkpoints appeared just before the Peace Arch border crossing this past week. 'Every single car, they opened up the hood,' U.S. immigration lawyer, Len Saunders, who has worked in Blaine WA. for 25 years said. 'They went through the trunk of the car. They asked questions. It was not a random search. They are basically targeting every single car going in to Canada.' U.S. border officials said as part of its national security mission, border agents routinely conduct inspections on outbound traffic. 'These inspections are a vital tool in apprehending wanted individuals as well as in seizing a variety of contraband, which ultimately makes our communities safer.' Story continues below advertisement The agency said that over four days of searches, officers found 'some minor narcotics seizures and nearly 300 rounds of 9 mm ammunition as well as close to 40 rounds of 12-gauge ammunition.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'For additional reference, on the success of outbound operations, here is an example of an outbound meth seizure at Sea-Tac: Seattle CBP officers seize more than 18 pounds of meth and an outbound cocaine seizure in Detroit,' they added. 2:23 Additional U.S. border checkpoints cause delays for travellers Saunders said what officers found at the Peace Arch and Blaine border crossing was 'hardly anything.' 'It was a colossal waste of time, colossal waste of government resources.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It was a colossal waste of time, colossal waste of government resources." The number of Canadians heading to the U.S. continues to drop and the mayor of Blaine told Global News businesses are suffering. Story continues below advertisement 'Anything that gives the impression that there is anything nefarious going on really doesn't help,' Mayor Mary Lou Steward said. 'I really don't want any more disruption to any kind of Canadian traffic coming down into Blaine. We really do need people to come back and shop in Blaine and go to the restaurants and just be here.' Steward said they don't get any notice these additional spot checks will be going on but they are not totally out of the blue. For Saunders, he said this could be the 'final nail in the coffin.' 'Nobody's going to come down here if they hear that they may be subject to these inspections. So my hope is everything will go back to normal shortly and you won't see these routine daily operations still in effect.'
