Immigration minister says 'something' happened to trigger order to surrender citizenship docs

Immigration Minister Lena Diab said she told her department to investigate when she became aware that "something" had happened to trigger a wave of citizenship document recalls.

The minister didn't say during a Tuesday news conference exactly what problem led to an unknown number of people getting emails last week ordering them to surrender their proof of citizenship.

"I have instructed the department the second I found out there was something, I wasn't sure what it was, to investigate," Diab said.

"So I can clearly tell you that at this point we are not finalizing any new applications and all applications are being reviewed. Those that are deemed to be OK are being told you're fine."

The minister said she is taking the issue very seriously and understands that people are worried about their citizenship status. She said she also recognizes that the issue of who is obtaining proof of citizenship is important to Canadians.

WATCH | Ottawa temporarily halts issuing new citizenship certificates to 'lost Canadians':

Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab says her department is not 'finalizing any new applications' from 'lost Canadians' — people living in other countries who can trace their lineage from Canadian ancestors. She said her department is reviewing the files of those who were already issued citizenship certificates, and that 'those that are deemed to be OK are being told you're fine.'

The department has said the emails went to "a few dozen" people who received citizenship by descent under a new law that allows people born before Dec. 15, 2025, claim Canadian citizenship as long as they have a provable direct ancestor.

Some of the people affected who had already applied for and received a passport said they have been told they need to surrender those passports as they are no longer valid.

All 4,100 successful citizenship claims made under the new law are now being reviewed by the department as part of the investigation.

WATCH | Some 'Lost Canadians' have citizenship certificates abruptly suspended:

The federal government has abruptly suspended an undisclosed number of citizenship certificates issued under its new 'Lost Canadians' law due to documentation concerns. Thousands of people, most of them American, were granted citizenship late last year.

Some people who were told to surrender their citizenship certificates last week received followup emails over the weekend saying their citizenship had now been confirmed.

Diab was asked twice during her news conference what specifically led to this review.

The minister said that people who received citizenship proof and moved to Canada still have their status while this review is underway and will be able to continue working.

"We are taking this seriously and we will review it and take the time that we need, ensuring that we will be clear with Canadians," Diab said.