US Senate for more scrutiny on Canada-United States border
A Senate hearing later in May will put renewed focus on the Canada-United States border, pushing for higher security.
The Canada-United States border is the longest border in the world – measuring 6,400 kilometers – but many American politicians are concerned about its security, according to a report by the Fraser Institute.
US Congress concerned about security of the Canada-United States border
Congressional debates between 2001-2010 show a higher level of concern about Canada’s long border, where there is also a prevailing myth that 9-11 hijackers and other terrorists have entered the United States through Canada. It’s an incorrect assumption, but something American legislators repeat anyway.
“When discussing border security, American politicians tend most often to speak of the Canadian and Mexican borders in roughly the same manner,” wrote Alexander Moens, a senior fellow at the Fraser Institute. “Their concern about the threat of terrorists staging attacks from Canada remains high.”
And what about trade between the two countries? “Take cheaper drugs from Canada out of the picture, and the sentiment in congress towards free trade turns negative,” said Moens.
Homeland security had already began discussing increasing border security using radar, sensor feeds and systems that can detect low-flying air craft one week ago.
Intake
President & CEO
Michael Niren
Mr. Niren is CEO of VisaPlace LLC and the President and Managing Partner of VisaPlace Legal Canada, an immigration law firm based in Toronto, and VisaPlace Legal US a law firm registered in The District of Columbia, USA. Mr. Niren is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association’s Citizenship and Immigration Section, American Lawyers Association, and an Associate Member of the American Bar Association.
