The United States is tightening the screws on Canadians crossing the border, rolling out a new rule that requires visitors staying longer than 30 days to register with authorities. Set to kick in April 11, the measure—published in the federal register on March 12—marks a sharp shift from the leniency Canadians have long enjoyed, escalating tensions as a trade war rages between the two nations.
The change is poised to clip the wings of some 900,000 Canadian “snowbirds,” the nickname for those who flee winter for sun-soaked U.S. states like Florida, Texas, and South Carolina. It’s the latest jab in a deteriorating relationship since President Donald Trump returned to power in January, piling on policies that have Canada reeling.
Just hours before the announcement, Trump’s fresh 25% tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum took effect, adding insult to injury after an earlier 25% levy on other goods. His repeated quips about turning Canada into America’s 51st state—dismissed by some as trolling but decried by others as a veiled threat—only fuel the fire.
The Department of Homeland Security pegs the impact at 2.2 million to 3.2 million people, signaling a broad crackdown on cross-border travel. For Canada, it’s another sign that the once-cozy alliance with its southern neighbor is chilling fast.