Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY) has forwarded correspondence to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas Higgins, seeking advanced proposals to reopen the United States-Canada border.
“I write you to advocate that the Department immediately advance concrete proposals for a phased re-opening of the Northern Border to our Canadian partners,” Higgins wrote. “And again call on the Department to immediately implement appropriate unilateral measures toward the normalization of the border, including promulgating a family reunification policy at least as generous at the policy implemented by the government of Canada many months ago.”
Higgins is advocating partial reopening of the border by May and a full reopening by July. He recently addressed Biden administration members regarding the border and government counterparts in Canada.
“Over a year ago, the United States and Canada announced that all non-essential travel between our two countries would be restricted to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Higgins concluded. “Exceptions were made in limited cases, and the people of Western New York and Southern Ontario accepted these as necessary measures to take in the face of the worst public health crisis of the past century. During this time, many of my constituents sacrificed – wondering when they’d be able to see their families and loved ones again, manage their properties, and tend to some of their business interests in Canada.”