Canadian Snowbirds Act

To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize admission of Canadian retirees as long-term visitors for pleasure described in section 101(a)(15)(B) of such Act, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Canadian Snowbirds Act 2. Admission of Canadian retirees Section 214 of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1184 (s) Canadian retirees (1) In general The Secretary of Homeland Security may admit an alien as a visitor described in section 101(a)(15)(B) if the alien demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the Secretary, that the alien— (A) is a citizen of Canada; (B) is at least 50 years of age; (C) maintains a residence in Canada; (D) owns a residence in the United States or has signed a rental agreement for accommodations in the United States for the duration of the alien’s intended stay in the United States; (E) is not inadmissible under section 212; (F) is not described in any ground of deportability under section 237; (G) is not otherwise inadmissible or removable under the immigration laws; (H) will not engage in employment or labor for hire in the United States other than employment or labor for hire for a person or entity not based in the United States by whom the Canadian citizen was employed in Canada or for whom the Canadian citizen performed services in Canada; and (I) will not seek any form of assistance, benefit, or credit described in section 403(a) of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 ( 8 U.S.C. 1613(a) (2) Spouse The spouse of an alien described in paragraph (1) may be admitted under the same terms as the principal alien if the spouse satisfies the requirements under paragraph (1) (other than subparagraph (D)). (3) Immigrant intent In determining eligibility for admission under this subsection, maintenance of a residence in the United States shall not be considered evidence of intent by the alien to abandon the alien’s residence in Canada. (4) Period of admission During any single 365-day period, an alien may be admitted under this subsection as a visitor for pleasure described in section 101(a)(15)(B) for a period not to exceed 240 days, beginning on the date of admission. Time spent outside of the United States during such period of admission shall not be counted for purposes of determining the termination date of such period. (5) Secretary’s discretion A decision by the Secretary of Homeland Security to withhold admission of an alien described in paragraph (1), or to withdraw an authorization of admission of such alien, shall be at the Secretary’s sole and un­re­view­able discretion under the immigration laws. . 3. Nonresident alien tax status Section 7701(b)(1)(B) (B) Nonresident alien An individual is a nonresident alien if such individual— (i) is not a citizen of the United States or a resident of the United States (as defined in subparagraph (A)), or (ii) is a Canadian citizen described in section 214(s) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1184(s) .

Summary: Canadian Snowbirds Act This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to admit into the United States as a nonimmigrant visitor for a period not to exceed 240 days during any single 365-day period a Canadian citizen who: (1) is at least 50 years old; (2) maintains a Canadian residence and owns a U.S. residence or has rented U.S. accommodations for the duration of such stay; (3) is not inadmissible or deportable; (4) will not work in the United States other than for a non U.S.-based person or entity that the person worked for in Canada; and (5) will not seek any federal means tested public benefit for five years, or any federal tax credits for child care, earned income, first time homebuyers, health insurance, or health care plans. The spouse of such person may be admitted under the same terms except that he or she is not required to separately satisfy the residence/housing requirements. DHS shall have sole and unreviewable discretion to withhold or withdraw admission of such an alien. The bill grants a person so admitted nonresident alien tax status.