Biometric North American Border Pass

Shortly after September 11, 2001, Canada had no interest in joining the United States in joint terrorism efforts, or the so called "security perimeter" that would focus on protecting the North American continent. It seems Canada has changed her mind now, a little. "A task force of former officials from Canada, Mexico and the U.S. recommended two years ago the adoption of a biometric North American border pass, harmonization of visa and asylum regulations, and data sharing on foreign nationals entering and exiting the region, among other measures." (SeattlePI.com)

Bush administration officials floated the idea that Canada and the United States should work to create a common front against terrorism -- a so-called "security perimeter" that would focus on protecting the North American continent. [snip]

Lacking Canada's cooperation, the new U.S. Department of Homeland Security went ahead and imposed on border-crossers new fees, inspections and demands for documents.

Needless to say, Canadians -- and many Americans who cross with regularity -- aren't too happy about the changes. [snip]

[Canada's public safety minister, Stockwell Day] was referring in particular to DHS' Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and its requirement, beginning this past January, that all air travelers arriving in the United States from Canada must show passports. [snip]

DHS is wary that more Canadian involvement in security operations "will give them a chance to say no," according to Christopher Sands, Canada expert at the Hudson Institute. Sands added that U.S. officials are suspicious of Canadian intentions, thinking they would use the opportunity to delay implementation of new programs or undermine current ones. (read it all)

If Canada and the United States can't agree on securing the border, methods for identifying possible terrorists, and mutual cooperation in both illegal immigration and terrorism, what hope is there for the U.S. and Mexico? This will be interesting to follow and a very important subject, as Canada is known to have radical Islamists just across the border from New York City.

Other news for today:
Georgia: No Proof of Residency, No Car Registration, La Shawn Barber's Corner
BUSH: CONGRESS HAS 'NO POWER' IN US ATTORNEY FIRINGS, Common Dreams.org
Recommended Diary At The Daily Kos: Bush Will Become A Dictator!, Right Wing News
Desires of the Human Heart, Part One, Michael Yon Online
King George Wahhabi?, Islamanazi
Frightening Scenes: Beijing’s Brutal Dirty Laundry, Peace and Freedom
Most Iranians oppose regime
Many would endorse 'Velvet Revolution' or even foreign military intervention, WND
ROTR Flashback- Saddam, America's Victory 08

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Comments

[Debbie]

I received the following from a reader in the know:

"1) the border crossing requirements of the WHTI have been postponed until Summer '08 by Chertoff (and some want it pushed to June '09)

2) the biometric border crossing card is creating problems on the US-Mexican border (not being used because of difficulty in reading them); Congress very unhappy"

Thanks.