Canadians Exempt From New
Border Plan
Oct 10, 2003
By TOM COHEN, Associated Press Writer
TORONTO - Canadian citizens are exempt from a U.S.
plan to tighten border security through increased screening of
foreign visitors, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said Friday.
Ridge and Canadian Deputy Prime Minister John Manley
emphasized the U.S. policy to exempt Canadian citizens from the
Visitor Immigrant Status Indication Technology, or the VISIT system,
approved by Congress could change as implementation plans solidify.
The plan is intended to increase security along what is known
as the world's longest undefended border without obstructing commerce
and traffic that fuels a trade relationship worth more than $1
billion a day, according to U.S. and Canadian trade figures.
The VISIT system is scheduled to take effect at airports and seaports
starting next year, and at land border crossings at the start
of 2005.
Manley has expressed concern the system would jam the land border
crossed by 200 million people each year by requiring Canadian
citizens who now simply show their passports to fill out forms
or undergo time-consuming screening for entry-exit records.
Most of those who drive across the border are Canadian and U.S.
citizens, and a joint statement issued by Manley and Ridge said
citizens of both countries "would not be subject to the U.S.
VISIT program under current U.S. policy."
Ridge stressed that U.S. policy regarding the border with Canada
must be practical, taking into account the important economic
and social ties they share.
"The integrated natures of our economies, communities and
families suggest to me the argument of practicality will prevail,"
he said.
Ridge and Manley announced an expansion of the NEXUS and FAST
programs that create special lanes for low-risk goods and people
to cross land border points, along with an agreement in principle
to cooperate in developing science and technology to enhance border
security.
Canada became a security concern to the United States in December
1999, when an Algerian living illegally in Canada was caught trying
to enter Washington state with explosives in the trunk of his
car. The man, Ahmed Ressam, has been convicted of plotting to
bomb Los Angeles International Airport during millennium celebrations.