Recently three Minnesota congressmen joined 29 U.S. lawmakers in an effort to have Canada and the U.S. open its borders to travel between the two countries.
Colin Peterson (D-MN-7), Tom Emmer (R-MN- 6) and Pete Stauber (R-MN-8) signed a letter from the Northern Border Caucus to Bill Blair, the Acting Secretary for the U.S. Department of Homeland and Emergency Preparedness and Chad Wolf, director of the Department of Homeland Acting Secretary and Public Safety, asking them to consider planning for a phased-in reopening of the border, which was closed in March.
Since the March 24 closing, each country has extended the agreement to keep the borders closed. The next expiration date for that joint agreement is July 21.
The letter states, “As members representing congressional districts along the U.S. Northern Border, we understand the importance of prioritizing the safety of our communities as we all navigate the complex calculation of minimizing public health risks and resuming economic activity. However, the social and economic partnership between our two nations necessitates a clear pathway forward.”
“The continual 30-day extensions without a plan for how restrictions will be modified prolongs uncertainty for both communities and creates unnecessary tension as we approach each new expiration. States and Provinces have created frameworks for reopening that rely on monitoring public health data, health officials’ expertise and other defined criteria to inform government decisions on how to proceed with each phase of a reopen. This process alleviates uncertainty and allows residents to understand the decision making and anticipate the next steps. Continuing to extend border restrictions at 30-day intervals is untenable for the communities that have been separated from family and unable to tend to their property for over three months.”
“We are asking that the United States and Canada immediately craft a comprehensive framework for the phased reopening of the border based on objective metrics and accounting for the varied circumstances across border regions. Additionally, we request consideration of any interim measures that may be appropriate to bilaterally ease restrictions on family members and property owners, including those with property on U.S. soil accessible only through cross-border transit – in order to restore the social bond that unites our two nations.”
On March 24, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) first imposed travel restrictions at Land Ports of Entry between the United States and Canada, limiting crossings to “essential travel” due to the ongoing pandemic. A second notice extended travel restrictions through May 20. A third agreement extended northern border restrictions through June 22. A forth bi-national agreement extended the border closure through July 21, 2020.
Under the current order, “essential travel” includes:
U.S. citizens returning to the U.S.,
Individuals traveling for medical purposes,
Individuals traveling to attend educational institutions or work,
Individuals traveling for emergency or government response,
Individuals engaged in lawful cross-border trade (e.g., cargo drivers),
Members of the military,
The members point out that the uncertainty that comes with repeated temporary border restrictions creates stress for individuals and the economy.
The United States and Canada share 5,525 miles of border, the most extended land boundary between two countries in the world. When open, more than 400,000 people and over $1.6 billion in goods cross the Northern Border daily through more than 120 Ports of Entry.
All of the efforts may be in vain, however. On Wednesday, July 9, Canadian Health Minister Patty Hajdu told Thunder Bay News Watch that she was working to keep the border closed. An infectious disease specialist said the border might be closed to all but essential traffic or those with immediate family until 2021.
Pete Stauber is the 8th District representative that includes Cook County, Duluth and International Falls, and Tom Emmer is the sixth district representative for areas including Blaine and St. Cloud. District 7 Colin Peterson’s area includes Lake of the Woods.
Editor’s note: Canadian Health Minister Patty Hadju has deep roots in Minnesota. She was raised in Chisholm, Minnesota, by her aunt and uncle until moving to Thunder Bay at age 12 to live with her mother. She left at age 16 and forged a path for herself, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from Lakehead University and achieving a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Victoria in 2015. She spent much of her career working with homelessness and working in the field of drug prevention.
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