BUFFALO, N.Y. — Following the Canadian government's decision to change border restrictions, U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins is calling on the United States to do the same.
"So long as they certify that they're doing good physical distancing, that they're wearing a face mask, that they're quarantining for 14 days upon their arrival and are practicing all the things that are necessary to keep our people safe, they should be able to travel across the U.S-Canadian border," Higgins said.
Last week, it was announced that the Canadian government will allow some extended family members, international students, and people with compassionate reasons to cross the border, if they follow a mandatory 14-day quarantine. However, you will need pre-approval from the Canadian government to cross the border.
Congressman Higgins, who serves as Co-Chair of the Northern Border Caucus, is calling on President Donald Trump to enforce the same changes.
In a letter to President Trump, Higgins writes:
“I ask you to implement carefully calibrated exemptions to these restrictions – based on reasonable public health metrics – for property owners and those traveling to reunite with family across the border. The Canadian government has relaxed restrictions for travel of family members of Canadian citizens on two separate occasions already. … The United States, however, has yet to adopt similar exemptions for land border crossings.”
The border between the U.S. and Canada has been closed due to the pandemic since March 24th and has been extended multiple times, with the current order set to expire October 21.
Under the current U.S. order, border crossings into the United States are only allowed for:
- 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 Canadian government says exemptions to allow for the reunification of extended family members include: those in an exclusive dating relationship for at least 1 year, an adult child, a grandchild, a sibling, half-sibling, or step-sibling, and a grandparent.
An immigration lawyer has told 2 On Your Side those couples will have to provide documentation that proves their relationship and interviews will be conducted with friends and family.
However, everyone has to get pre-approval, and they must quarantine there for two weeks.
Higgins says the United States needs to expand the definition of what it means to be an essential traveler.
Though he admits that not much will change if the United States doesn't start seeing fewer coronavirus cases.
"While their cases are under a stronger level of management, our cases are still disproportionately high and unless that changes, not a lot is going to change at the Canadian border," Higgins said.