The U.S. and Canada Announce Pilot to Enhance Border Security at Land Ports of Entry

Washington Effective September 30, 2012, the Department of Homeland Security and the Canada Border Services Agency will begin the Phase I pilot of the Entry/Exit program as outlined in the Beyond the Border Action Plan. Routine biographic information will be collected between September 30, 2012 and January 31, 2013. Beginning October 15, 2012, both agencies will begin exchanging this information to record entry into one country so that it becomes a record of exit from the other country. The pilot will not affect regular port operations in any way. The sharing of entry and exit information will facilitate the legitimate flow of traffic between the U.S. and Canada while strengthening border security, said U.S. Customs and Border Protection Deputy Commissioner, David V. Aguilar. This pilot is an important step forward in the shared perimeter vision. Under the pilot, the Department of Homeland Security and Canada Border Services Agency will exchange routinely collected data of third-country nationals (those who are neither citizens of Canada nor the United States), permanent residents of Canada and lawful permanent residents of the United States at the following four ports of entry: Pacific Highway, Blaine, Washington / Pacific Highway, British Columbia; Peace Arch, Blaine, Washington / Douglas (Peace Arch), British Columbia; Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, Lewiston, New York / Queenston-Lewiston Bridge, Ontario;and Rainbow Bridge, Niagara Falls, New York / Niagara Falls Rainbow Bridge, Niagara Falls, Ontario. A coordinated entry/exit system will help the U.S. and Canada identify persons who potentially overstay their lawful period of admission; better monitor the departure of persons subject to removal orders; and verify that residency requirements are being met by applicants for continued eligibility in immigration programs.