BUFFALO, N.Y. — Congressman Brian Higgins (D-NY 26th District) was in Buffalo Monday to talk about his proposal to help ease the NEXUS backup.
He was at the Peace Bridge announcing new legislation pushing for virtual nexus interviews to help with that backlog.
This is a story 2 On Your Side has covered a lot over the past few years after hearing from many of you complaining about the long wait times for interviews, with some waiting over a year.
Many Western New Yorkers and Canadians use the NEXUS lanes to cross back and forth.
If you've been following this story you know that it's been a priority for Higgins.
"The US and Canadian economies. The Western New York and Ontario economies are deeply integrated. Canadians spend in 2019, about $20 billion a year in the United States. Every aspect of our life here in Western New York is tied to reliable predictable access to in from Canada. Whether it's professional sports franchises, whether it's the retail economy, Buffalo Niagara International Airport," Higgins said.
Higgins said about 30% of people flying out of Buffalo airport are Canadian.
Under Higgins' bill people who are applying for Nexus could connect through a smartphone, tablet, or home computer for a virtual NEXUS interview.