Canadian snowbird couple parting ways with U.S amid political climate

New Brunswick snowbird couple contemplates skipping Florida winter retreat as political climate between Canada and the U.S. intensifies.

For Mary Ann and Mike Jeffries, Florida has been their warm-weather sanctuary for the past 15 years, a place where they could escape harsh Canadian winters and live an active, vibrant life. But recent political changes have made their seasonal home feel less welcoming.

The couple, who live in Moncton, New Brunswick, has decided to permanently leave their home away from home in Florida—a decision they never thought they’d make.

The Jeffries’ are just one of the many Canadian “snowbirds” who flock to the U.S. every year to enjoy the mild Florida climate. But as the U.S. government tightens regulations on foreign nationals, including Canadians, their situation has become increasingly difficult.

A new policy from the U.S government will require foreign nationals visiting for more than 30 days to register with the government, as part of a broader crackdown on illegal immigrants. This includes Canadians who enter the U.S. by land—a group that has been overlooked in the past, as they typically don’t receive the same documentation as those flying in.

It’s part of the “Protecting the American People Against Invasion” executive order that U.S. President Donald Trump signed on January 20th.

The Jeffries were shocked when they learned of the upcoming changes in an email from an organization that represents snowbirds.

“We were shocked when we got the email from the Canadian Snowbird Association,” said Mary Ann, referring to the recent communication alert. “Every year we’ve come through, we give them our passports, they know about our movements, and we also complete a form,” she added.

Although the couple understands the need to document people coming into a country, they are disappointed with the language and tonality in the executive order.