Canadian snowbirds must register with U.S. under new Trump rule

The big picture: The new policy marks yet another escalation in the friction between the U.S. and its northern neighbors, as President Trump pushes an on-again, off-again trade war with Canada and taunts the U.S. ally with annexation.

• Beginning April 11, the U.S. will expand enforcement of an existing law that requires foreign nationals 14 or older not already registered with the U.S. government to register if they plan to stay in the country for 30 days or longer.
• The law has not been consistently applied to Canadians, according to the New York Times. And under current regulations, many Canadian visitors entering the U.S. for "business or pleasure" are not issued necessary documentation, according to the new interim rule published in the Federal Register on Wednesday.

Driving the news: The rule implements part of a Day 1 executive order in which Trump called for previously unregistered foreign nationals to comply with the law.

• "Failure to comply," the order read, should be "treated as a civil and criminal enforcement priority."

What they're saying: The Canadian Snowbird Association, an advocacy organization for Canadian travelers, said in a statement earlier this month it was working with congressional representatives to "amend this registration requirement" and exempt Canadian travelers.

What we're watching: RV park owners in Yuma — a popular spot for Canadian snowbirds — are concerned that escalating tensions between the U.S. and Canada may lead to fewer tourists next year, according to multiple media reports.

• "What we don't want to do is disturb that population so they hop over us and go down to Mexico instead of staying with us," Palms RV Resort manager Bill Evans told Arizona's Family this week.