If your neighbouring country who share the same culture and speak the same language as your country does it count as foreign country? Does it count if your neighbouring country who had completely different culture and history but share the same racial group? Or foreigner only apply to those people who came from overseas so far away from your home country?
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It seems like you’re asking if Americans see Canadians as foreigners and vice versa.
I’m not American or Canadian but the answer seems to be a pretty clear yes.
As a somewhat legal/political thing, then the term probably applies strictly to political boundaries. That is, at least, fairly clear cut.
As a social/cultural thing, it is a grey area. One might consider others who share many cultural and social traditions as not being “foreign”. While the person living next door might be considered a foreigner if they appear to have different language, religious or cultural beliefs.
Problem is that it people use the term and mentally interchange them.
It depends on the social context. “Foreigner” is like “alien” – something from the outside. You could be a foreigner by being in a different town. Likewise, a “local” can mean someone from that town, or someone from that country, depending on the context of the discussion.
Distance has very little impact. Even in places like Europe, people from bordering countries are definitely considered foreigners.
Consider The Netherlands and Belgium. Similar culture, language and even shared history, yet there’s still a clear distinction.
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