U.S.-Canada Harmonizing Border Security and Immigration Measures
by Dana Gabriel - Be Your Own Leader
The
U.S. and Canada have made significant progress in advancing the Beyond
the Border deal and continue to implement various perimeter security
initiatives. Without much fanfare, they have signed an immigration
agreement that would allow them to share biographic and at a later date,
biometric information. As part of a North American security perimeter,
both countries are further harmonizing border security and immigration
measures. Canada is further taking on U.S. security priorities and this
could include a bigger role in the war on terrorism.
It’s been over a year since Prime Minister Stephen Harper and President Barack Obama announced the Beyond the Border and the Regulatory Cooperation Council action plans. On December 14, 2012, the U.S. and Canada issued the Beyond the Border implementation report
that highlights the objectives that were achieved over the past year
and the work that has yet to be done.
It explained that moving forward,
“Key future initiatives include harmonizing our trusted trader programs,
making significant infrastructure investments at our key land border
crossings, fully implementing an entry/exit program at the land border,
expanding preclearance operations to the land, rail, and marine
domains.”
The report also acknowledged challenges facing the
Next-Generation pilot project which would permit teams of
cross-designated officers to operate on both sides of the border. It was
originally scheduled to begin last summer. While steady progress has
been made, a lot more work is needed to meet the goals of the Beyond the
Border action plan. Over the next several years, other aspects of the
deal will be phased-in incrementally with specific deliverables due this
year, in 2014 and also in 2015.
Another
important facet of the economic and security perimeter agreement is the
U.S.-Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC). A progress report
to the leaders outlines accomplishments made in aligning regulations in
the areas of agriculture and food, transportation, the environment,
health and personal care products, workplace chemicals, as well as
nanotechnology. This includes cooperation on pilot projects, scientific
and technical collaborations and harmonized testing procedures. RCC
working groups have developed detailed work plans
for the various initiatives with objectives that will be implemented
over the next couple of years. In Canada, some fear that deepening
regulatory integration with the U.S. could weaken and erode any
independent regulatory capacity. This could lead to a race to the bottom
with respect to regulatory standards.
In December of last year, the U.S. and Canada signed the Immigration Information Sharing Treaty
which is tied to the Beyond the Border deal. Citizenship, Immigration
and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney stated that the, “agreement
builds on our countries’ mutual efforts to protect our common borders
and the surrounding perimeter, through improved screening of immigrants
and visitors.” He went on to say, “Enhanced information sharing of
foreign nationals will protect the safety and security of Canadians by
helping us prevent terrorists, violent criminals, and others, who pose a
risk, from entering Canada or the United States.” Under the treaty,
Canada and the U.S. will share biographic information from third country
nationals who apply for a visa, a travel permit or claim asylum. In
2014, it will also include the sharing of biometric information. There
are privacy concerns on how far-reaching the data collected will be
shared. This threatens the sovereignty of Canada with regards to
retaining control over information at its own borders.
On December 28, 2012, President Obama signed into law, the Countering Iran in the Western Hemisphere Act
which is designed to curb Iran's presence and activity in the region.
The bill calls on the Department of Homeland Security to work with
Canada and Mexico, “to address resources, technology, and infrastructure
to create a secure United States border and strengthen the ability of
the United States and its allies to prevent operatives from Iran, the
IRGC, its Qods Force, Hezbollah, or any other terrorist organization
from entering the United States.” Julie Carmichael, spokeswoman for
Public Safety Minister Vic Toews discussed Canada’s efforts to counter
any perceived hostility from Iran in the Americas. She is quoted in the Globe and Mail
as saying, “We continually assess threats while co-operating with
international partners, including the U.S., to address threats to our
common security.” Carmichael added, “The Beyond the Border Action Plan
as announced by Prime Minister Harper and President Obama provides a
framework to identify threats before they reach North America.” Under
the perimeter security deal, Canada is further aligning itself with U.S.
foreign policy interests and could be expected to play a greater role
in the global war on terror.
Through
the Beyond the Border agreement, the U.S. and Canada are deepening
economic and security integration which is laying the foundation for a
North American security perimeter. Both countries are also engaged in
the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations with Mexico and other member
nations. This is part of efforts to create a free trade area of the
Asia-Pacific and could be used to update and expand NAFTA. Another key
priority for U.S.-Canada relations is North America’s energy future.
President Obama is expected to make a final decision on the Keystone XL
pipeline sometime this year. Meanwhile, there is growing environmental
opposition to the proposed project which would carry oil from western
Canada to the Texas gulf coast.
Dana
Gabriel is an activist and independent researcher. He writes about
trade, globalization, sovereignty, security, as well as other issues.
Contact: beyourownleader@hotmail.com. Visit his blog at Be Your Own Leader
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