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Beyond the Border: A Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness

Introduction

On February 4, 2011, President Obama and Prime Minister Harper announced the United States-Canada joint declaration, Beyond the Border: A Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness. Beyond the Border articulates a shared approach to security in which both countries work together to address threats within, at, and away from our borders, while expediting lawful trade and travel.

Beyond the Border Documents

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Fact Sheets

Learn more about specific areas of the Beyond the Border Action Plan:

Considerations for United States – Canada Border Traffic Disruption Management

A Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness

Background

On February 4, 2011, President Obama and Prime Minister Harper announced the United States-Canada joint declaration, Beyond the Border: A Shared Vision for Perimeter Security and Economic Competitiveness. Beyond the Border articulates a shared approach to security in which both countries work together to address threats within, at, and away from our borders, while expediting lawful trade and travel.
Since the February 4, 2011 announcement, the Governments of the United States and Canada have worked to identify specific action items to advance the goals of Beyond the Border.

Overview

This document provides a planning framework for border traffic disruptions management which requires the involvement and coordination of multiple agencies, organizations, and entities. It identifies key stakeholders in border communities and outlines critical issues to consider when developing or updating existing plans for managing the flow of traffic (people and goods) to and away from the border during a large-scale traffic disruption. It is not a prescriptive document. Rather, this document is intended to support the development of traffic management plans that are tailored to accommodate local requirements and considerations. The key considerations outlined in this document are organized across the following five sections:

Preparedness;
Communications and Information Management;
Resource Management;
Command and Management; and
Ongoing Management and Maintenance.

Each section provides specific actions and questions for stakeholders to consider when developing and updating a traffic management plan. Stakeholders in border communities can utilize this document to help them develop arrangements and plans necessary to effectively manage traffic congestion associated with border delays

Learn More

Read the Considerations for United States – Canada Border Traffic Disruption Management (PDF, 10 pages - 287 KB).

Compendium of U.S. - Canada Emergency Management Assistance Mechanisms

On October 20, 2009, the United States and Canada held the first meeting of the Consultative Group established under the U.S.-Canada Agreement on Emergency Management Cooperation. This agreement provides a framework for the U.S. and Canada to cooperate in planning for and responding to natural and man-made incidents, emergencies, and disasters. At the meeting, the Consultative Group established four working groups, including one on Federal-to-Federal assistance and information exchange.
As a deliverable, the working group proposed to develop this Compendium of U.S.-Canada Emergency Management Assistance Mechanisms summarizing national-level acts, agreements, frameworks, guidance, plans, and procedures for emergency response operations, communication and coordination, preparedness, and recovery.
The purpose of this Compendium is:

To raise awareness of national-level acts, agreements, frameworks, guidance, plans, and procedures to facilitate communication, coordination, and the movement of Federal to Federal assistance resources, in coordination with diplomatic and customs and border officials, once a decision has been made to provide and receive emergency assistance;
To help Consultative Group members and others better understand each country’s policies on providing and receiving emergency assistance.

Read the Compendium of U.S. - Canada Emergency Management Assistance Mechanisms (PDF, 37 pages - 272 KB)

Fact Sheet: Beyond the Border United States – Canada Law Enforcement Cooperation

Release Date:

December 6, 2011

The United States and Canada have long enjoyed a collaborative law enforcement relationship. Through joint threat assessment, investigations, operations, and support for prosecutions, consistent with our respective domestic laws, we have made both countries more secure while facilitating lawful travel and trade. Three ongoing partnerships are key to facilitating cross-border law enforcement collaboration:

ShipRider pilot program – Under the ShipRider pilot, officially known as Integrated Cross-border Maritime Law Enforcement Operations (ICMLEO), cross-designated officers perform joint patrols in the maritime areas between our countries, removing the maritime border as an impediment to law enforcement operations. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are the primary ShipRider participants.
Integrated Border Enforcement Teams (IBETs) – IBETs enhance border integrity and security between designated ports of entry along the U.S.-Canada border by identifying, investigating, and interdicting persons, organizations, and goods that threaten the national security of one or both countries or that are involved in organized criminal activity. The five core IBET agencies are: RCMP; the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA); U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP); U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); and the USCG.
Border Enforcement Security Taskforces (BESTs) – BESTs are multi-agency teams that identify, investigate, disrupt, and dismantle criminal organizations posing significant threats to border security. BESTs, which are ICE-led, utilize co-located and cross-designated investigative assets of federal, state/provincial, local, and tribal law enforcement partners on both sides of the border to investigate transnational crime.

Additionally, through the U.S.-Canada Cross Border Crime Forum (CBCF), the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Attorney General meet with the Ministers of Public Safety Canada and Justice Canada to discuss and advance initiatives that address cross-border criminal activity.
Through the Beyond the Border Action Plan, the United States and Canada commit to further enhance cross-border law enforcement collaboration. Among other initiatives, our countries intend expand ICMLEO ShipRider, enhance cross-border radio interoperability, and build on the success of ShipRider, IBET, and BEST to pilot the next generation of integrated cross-border law enforcement. These efforts will be coordinated by the CBCF.
Read more about our joint law enforcement efforts in the Beyond the Border Action Plan.

Fact Sheet: Beyond the Border Facilitating Travel at the United States - Canada Border

Release Date:

December 6, 2011

At 5,525 miles (8,891 kilometers), the United States-Canada border is the longest shared border in the world. The border, which crosses various terrains and environments, is a diverse region consisting of major metropolitan centers, integrated bi-national communities, numerous transit hubs, tribal lands, and vast regions with little or no population. It is also a dynamic border with accessibility and security requirements that vary significantly with the seasons.
Within this border environment, U.S. and Canadian officials work cooperatively to secure and facilitate cross-border travel. Our countries are connected by more than 120 land ports of entry, more than 115,000 annual flights, and the numerous commercial and recreational vessels that cross our maritime border. Every day, approximately 350,000 people cross the U.S.-Canada border for business, tourism, school, and visiting family and friends. This cross-border flow of people is vital to our economies and integral to our shared communities.
Through the trusted traveler program NEXUS, our countries partner to expedite travel via land, air, or sea for pre-screened, approved travelers. We also work together at ports of entry to reduce wait times and address threats. We facilitate safe and secure air travel between our two countries, including pre-clearing passengers destined for the United States from several Canadian airports. We cooperate to help keep the recreational and commercial boating community safe and secure while transiting our shared waters.
The Beyond the Border Action Plan seeks to build on these initiatives to further secure and facilitate cross-border travel. Among other things, the United States and Canada intend to increase harmonized benefits to NEXUS members, enhance border infrastructure and facilities, implement additional pre-clearance initiatives, and implement border wait-time technology at high-priority border crossings.
Read more about the specific initiatives to facilitate cross-border travel in the Beyond the

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TRUTH BE TOLD

Sunday, December 16, 2012