Maple News reports that Canada has paused all new citizenship-by-descent approvals and is reviewing certificates that have already been granted, a move confirmed by Immigration Minister Lena Diab on Tuesday, June 24. The government said the pause affects new applications while a broader audit of existing approvals proceeds, with a focus on ensuring accuracy and safeguards in the process.
Minister Diab noted that those deemed to meet the criteria will be informed that their status remains valid, while the review continues. This means individuals who already obtained Canadian citizenship under the updated by-descent framework can keep their status and continue to work while their files are examined.
Earlier this month, the department sent surrender letters to recipients whose citizenship claims had been granted under the new rules, informing them that their citizenship was now under review. The government says these certificates are being reassessed, even though some had already been approved.
During a press briefing, a journalist pressed Diab on whether the pause and reviews were sparked by potential errors in AI tools, analytics, or a conduct issue by a specific officer. Diab declined to identify a precise cause, saying she had instructed the department to investigate the matter as soon as she became aware something might be wrong.
In the wake of the review, Canada’s citizenship department updated its guidance on acceptable proof of Canadian lineage. The new requirements emphasize originating-source documents and tighten what can be used to support a claim to citizenship by descent.
As the process unfolds, the government has begun returning some certificates, with revalidation letters indicating the review of submitted documents is complete and that beneficiaries are entitled to hold a certificate based on existing evidence. Some recipients report they have not submitted additional materials since receiving surrender letters, suggesting the department assessed their cases using information already on file.
Background context: Changes to Canada’s Citizenship Act, which took effect on December 15, 2025, opened a pathway for people born before that date to claim citizenship without a residency requirement if they can prove lineage from a Canadian citizen. The wave of interest, including from Americans seeking proof of citizenship, led to a surge in demand starting earlier this year. By late June, the processing queue stood at about 82,000 applications, pushing processing times for new applications to roughly 15 months. Maple News will continue to follow developments as the review progresses.