06 December 2002
Text: U.S. and Canada Release Update on Border Security Initiatives
(Highlights progress in implementing Smart Border Action Plan) (3080)
On December 6, 2002, the White House released an updated report on
U.S. efforts to work with Canada to implement a 30-point Smart Border
Action Plan to enhance security along the border shared by both
countries.
The plan, signed by President Bush and Canadian Prime Minister Jean
Chrétien in December 2001, aims to secure the cross-border flow of
goods and people, protect infrastructure, and improve
information-sharing and coordination to enhance these objectives.
Following is the text of the updated report on joint U.S. and Canadian
efforts to implement the Smart Border Action Plan:
(begin text)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
December 6, 2002
U.S.-CANADA SMART BORDER/30-POINT ACTION PLAN UPDATE
In December 2001, Governor Tom Ridge and Deputy Prime Minister John
Manley signed the Smart Border Declaration and associated 30-point
Action Plan to enhance the security of our shared border while
facilitating the legitimate flow of people and goods. The Action Plan
has four pillars: the secure flow of people, the secure flow of goods,
secure infrastructure, and information-sharing and coordination in the
enforcement of these objectives.
On September 9, 2002, President Bush and Prime Minister Chrétien met
to discuss progress on the Smart Border Action Plan and asked that
they be updated regularly on the work being done to modernize our
common border. This report is the first update since the meeting of
the President and the Prime Minister.
1. BIOMETRIC IDENTIFIERS
The United States and Canada have agreed to develop common standards
for the biometrics that we use and have also agreed to adopt
interoperable and compatible technology to read these biometrics. In
the interest of having cards that could be used across different modes
of travel, we have agreed to use cards that are capable of storing
multiple biometrics.
Our countries have begun to integrate biometric capabilities into new
programs being deployed. For example, the NEXUS-Air pilot program will
evaluate iris-scanning technology and the new Canadian Permanent
Resident Card is biometric-ready.
2. PERMANENT RESIDENT CARDS
Since June 28, 2002, Permanent Resident Cards have been issued to all
new immigrants arriving in Canada, replacing the IMM 1000. On October
15, 2002, Canada began processing applications for the Permanent
Resident Card, for the purposes of travel, from immigrants with
permanent resident status already in Canada. Effective December 31,
2003, the IMM 1000 will no longer be recognized as a document valid
for travel.
The Canadian permanent resident card contains features that make it
one of the most fraud-resistant documents in the world. The card has
been recognized by the International Card Manufacturers Association,
winning the Elan Award for Technical Achievement.
3. SINGLE ALTERNATIVE INSPECTION SYSTEM
NEXUS is functional at Port Huron-Sarnia (since November 2000), at
Blaine-Pacific Highway and Blaine-Douglas (since June 26, 2002) and
Point Roberts-Boundary Bay (since July 29, 2002). NEXUS will be
operational at both the Detroit-Windsor and Buffalo-Fort Erie bridges
on January 23, 2003, and at the Detroit-Windsor tunnel in March 2003.
NEXUS will be expanded to the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, the Rainbow
Bridge and to the Whirlpool Bridge by Spring 2003. NEXUS will also be
expanded to all other high-volume crossings between the two countries
by the end of 2003. NEXUS enrollment centers opened in Detroit-Windsor
and in Buffalo-Fort Erie on October 24, 2002.
The United States and Canada are also working to implement a joint
NEXUS-Air program for air travelers. NEXUS-Air will be piloted at
Ottawa and Dorval International Airports. Enrollment will begin in
April 2003.
4. REFUGEE/ASYLUM PROCESSING
The United States and Canada have made significant progress on a
Statement of Mutual Understanding (SMU) that will allow them to more
effectively exchange information on immigration-related issues. The
two countries are also very close to an agreement that will permit the
systematic sharing of information relating to asylum seekers. This
will help each country identify potential security and criminality
threats and expose "forum shoppers" who seek asylum in both systems.
This exchange of information will be in accordance with the privacy
laws of both countries.
5. MANAGING OF REFUGEE/ASYLUM CLAIMS
The United States and Canada have signed a Safe Third Country
Agreement that allows both countries to manage the flow of individuals
seeking to access their respective asylum systems. The agreement will
cover asylum claims made at land border ports of entry.
The Agreement is bound by the principle of family re-unification in
determining whether an individual would be exempted from the
requirement of making a claim in the first country of arrival. The
Agreement also clearly identifies that individuals making a claim in
either country would not be removed to another country until a
determination of that person's claim has been made.
Both countries will now finalize the regulatory framework and standard
operating procedures necessary to implement this Agreement.
6. VISA POLICY COORDINATION
The United States and Canada have agreed to enhance cooperation
between our respective Embassies overseas, which will allow our
officials to more routinely and more efficiently share information on
intelligence and specific data concerning high-risk individuals. The
two countries have also agreed to formally consult one another during
the process of reviewing a third country for the purpose of either a
visa imposition or visa exemption.
The United States and Canada are also continuing to work together to
identify countries that pose security concerns with a view toward
further cooperation on visa policy. In February 2002, the United
States announced that nationals of Argentina would require a visa to
travel to the United States. In September 2002, Canada announced that
citizens of Saudi Arabia and Malaysia would require visas to travel to
Canada. The United States and Canada currently have common visa
policies for 144 countries.
7. AIR PRECLEARANCE
The in-transit pre-clearance project in Vancouver, suspended as a
result of the events of September 11, was re-instated on February 14,
2002.
In support of the pre-clearance program, the two countries signed "The
Agreement on Air Transport Pre-clearance between The Government of
Canada and The Government of the United States of America" on January
18, 2001. It allows for the expansion of in-transit pre-clearance to
other Canadian airports and also has provisions that modernize the
regime governing pre-clearance.
U.S. government agencies are seeking the authority from Congress to
offer reciprocal authorities and immunities for Canadian customs and
immigration officials in the United States.
8. ADVANCE PASSENGER INFORMATION/PASSENGER NAME RECORD
The United States and Canada have agreed to share Advance Passenger
Information and Passenger Name Records (API/PNR) on high-risk
travelers destined to either country. Canada implemented its Passenger
Information system (PAXIS) at Canadian airports on October 8, 2002, to
collect Advance Passenger Information. The automated U.S.-Canada
API/PNR data-sharing program will be in place by Spring 2003.
9. JOINT PASSENGER ANALYSIS UNITS
The United States and Canada have agreed to a co-location of customs
and immigration officers in Joint Passenger Analysis Units to more
intensively cooperate in identifying potentially high-risk travelers.
Pilot joint passenger analysis units became operational at the
Vancouver and Miami international airports on September 30, 2002,
staffed with U.S. and Canadian officials. The pilot sites will be
evaluated at the end of six months to determine the feasibility of
expanding the units to other locations.
10. MARITIME SECURITY AND FERRY TERMINALS
We have completed a marine benchmark study to enhance U.S. and
Canadian border security at seaports aimed at improving security and
contraband interception. Agencies have begun to make improvements
based on this study.
11. COMPATIBLE IMMIGRATION DATABASES
The United States and Canada have begun discussions towards developing
parallel immigration databases to facilitate regular information
exchange. The United States is studying the feasibility of duplicating
Canadian intelligence gathering software at six pilot sites. Other
examples of information exchange include lookouts from our respective
databases and automating existing exchanges.
12. IMMIGRATION OFFICERS OVERSEAS
The United States and Canada have begun deploying new immigration
officers overseas to deal with document fraud, liaison with airlines
and local authorities, and work with other countries to ensure
intelligence liaison and to interrupt the flow of illegal migrants to
North America.
In the past year, Canada has deployed additional officers for this
purpose, bringing to 74 the total number of officers engaged in these
areas. In 2002 and 2003, the United States will deploy 85 new
temporary officials with 40 new officials being deployed permanently.
Working together, the United States and Canada will continue to
strengthen their capacity to ensure the integrity of their immigration
programs, to combat document fraud, and to interdict irregular
migrants.
13. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
The United States and Canada have worked together to provide technical
assistance to developing countries to deal with threats to our shared
security. These cooperative efforts will continue. Joint interdiction
exercises and joint training programs will assist other countries to
combat document fraud and irregular migration. Such assistance
includes improving document integrity, providing expertise on border
controls, and joint training.
In addition, the United States and Canada conducted a joint
presentation to the European Community CIREFI (Immigration Center of
the Council of the European Union) meeting in June, regarding the
immigration items in the Smart Border Action Plan.
14. HARMONIZED COMMERCIAL PROCESSING
The United States and Canada have established a joint program for
low-risk companies that will expedite the movement of low-risk
shipments in either direction across the border. The program, known as
Free and Secure Trade (FAST), will be available at the following
high-volume border crossings:
-- Blaine, Washington / Douglas, British Columbia (December 31, 2002)
-- Port Huron, Michigan / Sarnia, Ontario (December 16, 2002)
-- Detroit, Michigan / Windsor, Ontario (December 16, 2002)
-- Buffalo, New York / Fort Erie, Ontario (December 16, 2002)
-- Lewiston, New York / Queenston, Ontario (December 31, 2002)
-- Champlain, New York / Lacolle, Quebec (December 31, 2002)
The United States and Canada are working to align other customs
processes for all commercial shipments by 2005.
15. CLEARANCE AWAY FROM THE BORDER
The United States and Canada are developing approaches to move customs
and immigration inspection activities away from the border to improve
security and relieve congestion where possible.
The United States and Canada have completed a joint analysis of the
operational benefits that could be achieved with the implementation of
small and large shared facilities located in one country or the other.
Both governments continue to explore approaches to the legal
challenges that flow from border inspection services of one country
operating in the other.
We are considering innovative procedures to improve rail enforcement
activities and at the same time facilitate the flow of rail traffic,
such as conducting rail enforcement activities before the border and
trade compliance processes at the destination.
16. JOINT FACILITIES
The United States and Canada have agreed to consider the following
locations for joint or shared facilities pending the outcome of
feasibility studies:
-- Calais, ME / St. Stephen, NB
-- Easton, ME / River de Chute, NB
-- Monticello, ME / Bloomfield, NB
-- Vanceboro, ME / St. Croix, NB
-- Morses Line, VT / Morses Line, QC
-- North Troy, VT/ Highwater, QC
-- Walhalla, ND / Winkler, MB
-- Northgate, ND / Northgate, SK
-- Hanna, ND / Snowflake, MB
-- Opheim, MT / West Poplar River, SK
-- Nighthawk, WA / Chopaka, BC
-- Porthill, ID / Rykerts, BC
17. CUSTOMS DATA
U.S. and Canadian Customs agencies have extended the scope of
information they share through:
-- the Cooperation Arrangement for the Exchange of Information for the
Purposes of Inquiries Related to Customs Fraud, signed in December
2001; and
-- an agreement, reached by our customs agencies, on the principles to
be included in the exchange of information related to NAFTA rules of
origin. The agreement will be signed in March 2003, and includes audit
plans, audit reports, the results of advance rulings, and origin
determinations and re-determinations.
18. CONTAINER TARGETING AT SEAPORTS
Through an innovative solution to ensure that containers can be
examined where they first arrive, regardless of their ultimate
destination in North America, U.S. and Canadian Customs agencies have
created joint targeting teams at five marine ports. In the ports of
Vancouver, Montreal and Halifax, U.S. officials aid Canadian customs
officials in identifying which containers to examine. In the ports of
Newark and Seattle-Tacoma, Canadian officials provide the same
assistance to U.S. Customs agents. The work of these teams will be
facilitated through the electronic transmission of advance manifest
data for incoming ships and the containers they carry.
19. INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS
Both governments have committed funds for border infrastructure. Under
Canada's new Border Infrastructure Fund, C$600 million will be
provided over five years for physical and technological improvements
at key border crossings. The United States Transportation Efficiency
Act for the 21st Century also funds transportation projects along U.S.
corridors and at border points along the United States-Canada border.
New funding will support FAST and NEXUS and facilitate the secure and
efficient cross-border movement of people and goods, for example
through dedicated lanes for commercial and passenger vehicles at the
border between the British Columbia Lower Mainland and Washington
state.
The United States and Canada are working together at key border
crossings to develop computer simulations aimed at ensuring that
border infrastructure investments are put to the most effective use.
The two countries will establish a bi-national border-modeling group
to analyze border congestion on an ongoing basis.
20. INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS
The United States and Canada are piloting the Automatic Identification
System (AIS) on the St. Lawrence Seaway, which uses transponder and
Global Position System (GPS) technologies to allow for more effective
monitoring of ships. The Cascade Gateway Advanced Traveler Information
System (ATIS) will be installed at the Pacific Highway and Peace Arch
crossings to enhance the mobility of people and commercial goods
between the United States and Canada. We will also invest in
high-energy gamma-ray systems to support joint efforts in screening
marine containers arriving at marine ports in both countries.
21. CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION
Our governments have agreed on a Joint Framework for United
States-Canada Cooperation on Critical Infrastructure Protection and
have established a Bi-national Steering Committee to assess threats to
our shared critical infrastructure and ensure an ongoing, high-level
focus on the issue by both governments. The Committee has developed
detailed workplans for collaboration in the areas of energy,
telecommunications and transportation, and has established working
groups to address horizontal issues such as research and development,
interdependencies, mapping and threat information sharing. The next
meeting of the Steering Committee will be held in early 2003.
22. AVIATION SECURITY
We have agreed to recognize each other's national standards for
security in airports and on board flights, and to coordinate measures
that are essential to protecting our citizens. With the creation of
the new federal transportation security agencies and the augmentation
of existing departments, the two governments have strengthened their
respective capacities to set regulations, review standards, and
monitor and inspect all air security services. The two governments
have also assumed direct responsibility for security standards, and
will work to identify best practices with a view to improving them.
23. INTEGRATED BORDER AND MARINE ENFORCEMENT TEAMS
The United States and Canada have identified 14 geographical areas for
the deployment or enhancement of Integrated Border Enforcement Teams
(IBETS). IBETs are currently operational in 10 of the 14 geographic
areas, and will be operational in all 14 geographical areas by
December 2003. IBETs will focus on criminals and terrorists that may
attempt to cross the United States-Canada border.
The two countries have also begun comprehensive training programs for
IBET personnel, from both the United States and Canada, to enhance
their awareness and understanding of one another's laws and
regulations. Two joint training sessions have been held with
additional sessions planned in the near future. These initial training
sessions will form the foundation of a long-term integrated training
plan.
24. JOINT ENFORCEMENT COORDINATION
The latest United States-Canada Cross-Border Crime Forum (CBCF) took
place on July 21-22, 2002. The participants at the CBCF reiterated the
importance of the role of Project Northstar. Since becoming formally
aligned with the CBCF in early 2001, the role of Project Northstar as
a mechanism for joint law enforcement coordination has been
significantly enhanced. Project Northstar will have a border-wide
meeting in Winnipeg in April 2003.
Project North Star will continue to:
-- identify and prioritize joint obstacles for law enforcement at the
border;
-- bring these obstacles to policy makers at the United States-Canada
Cross-Border Crime Forum for resolution; and
-- work to increase and establish new, joint representation of the
American and Canadian law enforcement community at the binational,
regional, and local levels.
Planning is currently underway for the next Cross-Border Crime Forum,
which will be hosted by the United States, in late Spring 2003.
25. INTEGRATED INTELLIGENCE
The Government of Canada has established Integrated National Security
Enforcement Teams (INSETs), which will include representatives from
federal enforcement and intelligence agencies, as well as
international law enforcement partners such as the U.S., on a
case-by-case basis. Canada has also been participating since April 9,
2002, in the U.S. Foreign Terrorist Tracking Task Force (FTTTF) in
Washington, to detect, interdict, and remove foreign terrorist
threats.
26. FINGERPRINTS
With the development of a Memorandum of Cooperation, the RCMP and the
FBI will implement an electronic system for the exchange of criminal
records information, including fingerprints, using a standard
communication interface.
27. REMOVAL OF DEPORTEES
The United States and Canada are continuing cooperation in removing
individuals to source countries. To date, the United States and Canada
have conducted 5 joint operations resulting in 313 removals.
28. COUNTER-TERRORISM LEGISLATION
President Bush signed anti-terrorism legislation on October 26, 2001.
In Canada, the Anti-Terrorism Act came into force on December 24,
2001.
29. FREEZING OF TERRORIST ASSETS
The United States and Canada have a working process in place to share
advance information on individuals and organizations that may be
designated as terrorist in order to coordinate the freezing of their
assets. To date, the United States and Canada have designated or
listed over 360 individuals and organizations.
30. JOINT TRAINING AND EXERCISES
The United States and Canada have been conducting a series of
counter-terrorism exercises of increasing complexity that will
culminate in the full-scale TOPOFF II exercise in May 2003. TOPOFF II
will include a wide range of participants, from first responders to
senior government leaders at the local, state/province, and federal
levels and ask them to respond to multiple terrorist attacks within
the United States that have cross-border implications. This exercise
will provide the foundation for an ongoing program of joint training
activities.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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