Patrick Leahy: “when the Congress passed the intelligence reform bill in 2004, it included measures that were intended to help secure…”

“when the Congress passed the intelligence reform bill in 2004, it included measures that were intended to help secure our borders. These provisions, called the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, require that any person, including a U.S. citizen, present a passport or its equivalent, when they enter the United States from neighboring countries, including Canada or Mexico. We have long enjoyed less-formal immigration policies with our neighbors, and especially with Canada. These policies encourage tourism and trade and promote goodwill between our nations. The impact of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative on Northern Border states could be extremely harmful. Last year, Vermont exported $1.516 billion worth of products to Canada. And in 2003, more than 2 million Canadians visited Vermont, spending $188 million while here. Other northern border States enjoy similar trade and tourism benefits with Canada and face what could be significant downturns in their economies if this law is not implemented smoothly. States like Alaska and Minnesota have unique challenges under the law because in Alaska all or in Minnesota some residents have to cross into Canada before entering the continental U.S. by land. In addition, several southern States could experience negative impacts. Florida and Nevada welcome significant numbers of Canadian tourists.…”