Source: United States Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn)
A leading advocate for opening the U.S.-Canada border, Klobuchar requested information from the Department to ensure new protocols are implemented without delaying cross-border travel
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) sent a letter urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure border officials have the training and resources needed to implement new cross-border travel protocols.
Earlier this month, DHS announced that it will allow non-essential travelers who have been fully vaccinated for the coronavirus to enter the United States via land and ferry ports of entry across the U.S. border with Canada beginning November 8. Klobuchar praised this announcement in the letter, writing “I have long advocated to safely open up both land and air travel between the United States and Canada…The Administration’s decision to reopen the land and ferry ports of entry is an important step as we continue to fight our way out of this pandemic and recover from its disruptive economic impact.”
She continued: “I appreciate the Administration’s actions to curb the transmission of the coronavirus in the United States, including the new vaccination requirements for cross-border travelers from Canada. At the same time, the Department must work to ensure that border officials at land and ferry ports of entry have the training and resources needed to safely, accurately, and swiftly implement the new requirements.”
Full text of the letter can be found below and HERE.
Dear Secretary Mayorkas:
I write to express my strong support for the Administration’s recent decision to allow certain non-essential travelers from Canada to enter the United States at ports of entry beginning November 8 and to urge the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ensure that the new protocols are implemented without significantly delaying cross-border travel.
I have long advocated to safely open up both land and air travel between the United States and Canada. Businesses have suffered and friends and family have been separated for too long. The Administration’s decision to reopen the land and ferry ports of entry is an important step as we continue to fight our way out of this pandemic and recover from its disruptive economic impact.
I appreciate the Administration’s actions to curb the transmission of the coronavirus in the United States, including the new vaccination requirements for cross-border travelers from Canada. At the same time, the Department must work to ensure that border officials at land and ferry ports of entry have the training and resources needed to safely, accurately, and swiftly implement the new requirements.
Therefore, I respectfully request responses to the questions below:
- What steps has the Department taken to ensure that border agents are prepared to implement the new policy on November 8?
- How has the Department prepared for the influx of travelers that are expected to arrive from Canada at land and ferry ports of entry?
- What efforts has DHS made to coordinate with the Canadian government to ensure that travelers are aware and prepared to comply with the new requirements?
- How does DHS plan to coordinate with Tribal Nations near the northern border regarding the planned re-opening of the land border and ferry ports of entry?
- What are the specific implementation challenges you expect with respect to the planned opening of the land and ferry ports of entry, particularly in northern border communities, and are there any legislative steps Congress can take to address those challenges?
- Does DHS need additional resources to facilitate the planned re-opening of the land border and ferry ports of entry?
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
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