Reaction To New U.S. Registration Rule

A new U.S. registration rule will require Canadians and other foreigners over 14 years old who plan to stay in the country for more than 30 days to complete a form and undergo fingerprinting—provided their visit is approved. The new regulation, set to take effect on April 11th, has drawn mixed reactions, particularly from Canadian "Snowbirds" who spend their winters in the Coachella Valley. For many Canadians, this new rule feels like an unwelcome shift in the relationship between the two countries. Marilyn Sergeant, a long-time winter resident of the Coachella Valley, expressed her frustration, describing the policy as disappointing.

“We feel like, why is he doing this to Canadians? We’ve been coming here, supporting your country, spending money here, buying homes here, and all of a sudden, it’s like there’s no welcome matt,” said Sergeant, who has been visiting since 1998.

While Sergeant acknowledges that she finds the registration process to be “confusing and annoying,” she also clarified that she doesn’t see it as an invasion of her privacy. She noted that filling out forms is a common part of international travel, but the tone of the new rule left her feeling less welcome. The impact of this regulation could be significant for the Coachella Valley, where Canadians own thousands of homes. Married couple Jessica and Joe Klein, from British Columbia, also own property in La Quinta. Joe expressed concern about the psychological effects of the policy, saying,

“It’s not just about filling out forms. There’s this sense of you’re not really welcome here. You have to register to stay, but it’s almost like you’re tolerated rather than truly welcomed.”

This change could also have far-reaching consequences for the local economy and real estate market. According to a local realtor the Coachella Valley is home to over 5,000 Canadian-owned properties, with more than 550 located in Palm Desert alone. If even half of those homeowners decide to sell in response to the new regulation, the local real estate market could see a sharp decline in home prices due to an influx of homes on the market. This potential flood of homes could also affect local businesses that rely on the seasonal influx of Canadian visitors.