Sen. Gillibrand and Reps. Higgins, Jacobs urge DHS to keep U.S.-Canada border open to vaccinated travelers

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) joined U.S. Reps. Brian Higgins (D-NY) and Chris Jacobs (R-NY) in urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to keep the U.S.-Canada border open for vaccinated individuals.

Citing the economic livelihoods of New York businesses, as well as supply chain issues, the lawmakers asked the administration of President Joe Biden to uphold its decision to allow fully vaccinated travelers from Canada and Mexico to travel to the U.S. for non-essential travel.

“Now that vaccines are widely available, we cannot return to the economic and personal sacrifices that would be made if the northern border is closed once again,” said the lawmakers. “The impact of nearly 20 months of closure was devastating to countless New York businesses, medical providers, and families who depend on travel across the New York-Canadian border. The northern border is the gateway to an indispensable economic partnership, and we are confident border crossings can continue safely and efficiently.”

In their Jan. 6 letter, the group said the loss of Canadian business costs the U.S. economy $1.5 billion each month, with Erie County in New York losing between $665 million and $855 million each year.

The availability of the vaccine and the high vaccination rate were indications the border should remain open, the lawmakers said.

“Vaccines work and provide the best opportunity to end this pandemic. Canada has a high rate of vaccination with over 76% of its general population fully vaccinated with both doses,” the legislators wrote. “We must recognize vaccine efficacy and follow the public health data. There should not be additional restrictions placed on non-essential travel for fully vaccinated Americans and Canadians, and all ports of entry on the northern border must remain open.”