I was on the phone with my dad the other day when he asked if I'd heard about the changes to Canada's citizenship rules. They had removed the first-generation limit for citizenship by descent. Now, almost anyone who can prove ties to a Canadian ancestor is automatically and retroactively a Canadian citizen.

By removing the first-generation limit, Canada has opened the doors for millions of Americans to claim citizenship and gain the right to live and work in Canada. According to CIC News, trans Americans who meet the criteria may qualify for urgent processing if they provide an explanatory letter:

Canada is fast-tracking citizenship certificates for trans Americans
Trans Americans with Canadian ancestry have been receiving expedited processing of their applications for Canadian citizenship certificates. Proof of Canadian citizenship certificates, which are provided to individuals who qualify as Canadian citizens on the basis of their ancestry, have become a hot commodity this year in the United States, following changes to Canada’s Citizenship Act
Canada Immigration NewsDerek Shank

Here's what you need to know about the changes to Canadian citizenship, why it matters for LGBTQ+ Americans, and how to find out if you're eligible for it:

Are You a Canadian Citizen By Descent? More Americans Are Eligible than Ever Before
I was on the phone with my dad the other day when he asked if I’d heard about the changes to Canada’s citizenship rules. They had removed the first-generation limit for citizenship by descent. Now, almost anyone who can prove ties to a Canadian ancestor is automatically and retroactively a
Remote QueerSaul

What Is Citizenship Anyway?

In today's world, with birthright citizenship under attack in the U.S., the concept of citizenship can feel vague, unfair, and arbitrary. Young Americans are increasingly seeking out citizenship in the places their parents and grandparents were from.

In her new book Citizenship: Notes on an American Myth, Daisy Hernádez writes about that complexity, and her own experience gaining citizenship in Colombia — the country her mother came from but where she had never lived herself:

Northwestern’s Daisy Hernández and her new history of the (quickly) changing meaning of citizenship
Daisy Hernández’s new book, Citizenship: Notes on an American Myth,” is partly a family memoir and partly a world history.
Chicago TribuneChristopher Borrelli

"Citizenship itself has migrated beyond its historical confines in international law and electoral politics... At times, citizenship is a proxy for belonging, identity, or community.... Political membership is defined not by geographic borders but rather by the political relationships colonialism has created."

Get your own copy of the book:

Citizenship: Notes on an American Myth
Notes on an American Myth
HogarthDaisy Hernández

Here's What I Really Earn as a Freelance Writer

Last month, I was going over my finances and saw that I’d had my highest-earning month in years. I turned to my partner. “That’s more than you earn in a month!” I said, surprised. My partner works full-time as a site reliability engineer. They work from home two days per week and commute to the office three days per week.

Me? I work from home every day (sometimes from bed) and have a pretty relaxed schedule, often clocking off early so I can have a leisurely bike ride to salsa class.

I feel like a slacker. It’s true that my partner has more reliable income than me, so that our annual incomes are more reflective of our industries — but still, the fact that I can make a living as a freelance writer continues to be a pleasant surprise.

Here's a peek behind the scenes at what I really earn as a freelance writer:

Here’s How Much I Really Earn (and Charge) as a Freelance Writer
Last month, I was going over my finances and saw that I’d had my highest-earning month in years. I turned to my partner. “That’s more than you earn in a month!” I said, surprised. My partner works full-time as a site reliability engineer. They work from home two
Remote QueerSaul

A Rural Creator Fellowship from News Creator Corps ($3,500 Stipend)

News Creator Corps is offering a virtual fellowship for "experienced content creators who want to deepen their fact-checking skills, and trusted community members — retired teachers, civic leaders, local business owners, and others — who are ready to take their first steps in public information sharing."

The fellowship is intended for people who serve communities with 50,000 people or less. It meets once a week for six weeks between July 13-August 21 and comes with $3,500 stipend. Applications are online and close June 7th, 2026:

Rural Creator Fellowship - News Creator Corps
The Rural Creator Fellowship trains trusted local voices in the fact-checking skills they need to be reliable sources of accurate information for their communities. More than 3,500 local news outlets have closed in the past two decades. In rural America, that loss is acute — communities where the only local paper closed years ago, school […]
News Creator Corps

If any of this was helpful, please consider becoming a member — your support is what keeps us going. As always, thanks for reading!

Saul & the RQ Team