U.S., Canada expands program for frequent cross-border travelers
Many residents of towns and cities near the U.S.-Canada border cross the border for shopping and recreation; 132,000 of them have already registered for a program which makes crossing the border easier
Here is a small program in asmall place, but which may show the way for how to handle regular cross-border traffic. DHS’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is expanding the NEXUS program to the Pembina, North Dakota Port of Entry. NEXUS allows United States and Canadian border agencies to concentrate their efforts on potentially higher-risk travelers and goods. Residents in the Pembina area and any other interested residents which regularly traverse this area are encouraged to apply for NEXUS participation. NEXUS is a joint CBP-Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) program for frequent travelers that the American and Canadian governments have implemented to enhance border security while simplifying border crossings for pre-approved, low-risk travelers. More than 132,000 U.S. and Canadian citizen/residents are currently enrolled in the NEXUS program. NEXUS is a harmonized program and applicants need to complete only a single application form, available on-line.
“Border security remains our highest priority,” said Mary Delaquis, CBP’s area port director in Pembina, North Dakota. “The NEXUS program presents us with a ‘win-win’ situation: trusted travelers are able to cross our border with minimal waiting which allows officers the ability to concentrate their efforts on higher risk traffic.”
