border – Page 4

Page Updated: March 18, 2012

Entry Denied for Medical Reasons

The databases being shared by the U.S. and Canadian Customs and Immigration officials contain a vast amount of personal information – including health related issues.

A Canadian woman was denied entry to the U.S. because of a suicide attempt years earlier. Although officials cannot get into your personal medical records, they do have access to any record that involves law enforcement. In this case, the woman was judged to be a mental health risk and was not allowed to enter until she paid a fee of $250, and her family doctor provided certain medical records. She was also required to sign a form stating she understood the information would be passed to the U.S. government and that she had no control over how it would be used.

See ezbordercrossing.com for more information on what a border official knows about you.

Page Updated: March 18, 2012

Canada Implements Border Crossing Closures

The Canadian Border Services Agency has implemented the closure of the U.S. / Canadian border crossings at Jamieson’s Line, and Franklin Centre in Quebec as well as Big Beaver in Saskatchewan. Barriers and cameras will be installed at these former checkpoints to deter further use of these ports. They also reduced the hours of operation at the Glen Sutton, East Pinnacle and Morses Line border crossings. See our links to these border crossings for more information.

Ezbordercrossing.com will provide updates when the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol announces their decision on whether to keep it’s side of these ports open. It is very likely that the U.S. will match the Canadian action and close the ports, but it will take the better part of 2011 given the hearings and other actions that must be taken to implement these changes.

Page Updated: March 18, 2012

Whitetail Border Closure Hearings

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is proceeding with plans to close the Whitetail / Big Beaver port at the U.S. and Canadian border in Montana. Canada has already decided to close their side of the port and could not be convinced to keep it open by sharing the U.S. Customs station that was being upgraded with stimulus money.

The port will likely be closed later in 2011 after a 90-day congressional review, a 60-day public comment period and then a final decision by the agency.

This rural port is one of a few that services a long stretch of the border in northeastern Montana. It is largely used by local residents and farmers. For more information see the Whitetail / Big Beaver border crossing at ezbordercrossing.com .