Due to the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, land border travel between the United States and Canada has been restricted since March 21, 2020, and will likely continue through at least January 21, 2021. Individuals may not be admitted for tourism or other non-essential reasons. For the most part, work has been considered an essential
Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
Update: U.S. Border Restrictions Extended due to COVID-19
Announced via Tweet by Chad Wolf, Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, the COVID-related restrictions at the Canadian and Mexican borders have been extended yet again until November 21, 2020. These restrictions apply to land and sea entries and prevent entry for non-essential purposes. Although there continues to be some inconsistency at ports…
Travelers from New York Allowed into Trusted Traveler Programs Again
New Yorkers can once again register for Trusted Traveler Programs.
However, registrants should note that, due to COVID-19, Trusted Traveler Enrollment Centers are closed until at least September 8, 2020.
In early February 2020, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) prohibited New Yorkers from registering or re-registering for Trusted Traveler Programs, including Global…
Administration Offers Exemption from Restrictions on Entry to Foreign Professional Athletes
To support the Trump Administration’s COVID-19 reopening policies, Chad F. Wolf, the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, signed an order exempting some foreign professional athletes (and their staff and dependents) who compete in certain leagues, from the COVID-19 travel restrictions that are in place for 30 countries: China, Iran, Ireland, the U.K, and the 26…
DHS, CDC: New Travel Restrictions for Southern, Northern Borders
DHS and CDC have announced a new travel restriction at the Southern and Northern borders due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. According to the announcement, DHS will do what it can (including repatriation flights) to prevent the introduction of “affected individuals” into “congregate settings” at land ports of entries (POEs) or Border Patrol Stations…
Travel Restrictions Update: United Kingdom and Ireland
Several Presidential Proclamations suspending travel to the U.S. from abroad due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) have been issued since January 31, 2020, each building upon the last. Now, restrictions on those traveling from the United Kingdom and Ireland have been added, according to the most recent proclamation, which outlines the short…
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Designated ‘Security Agency’
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), an agency with more than 60,000 employees, now shares status with the likes of the FBI and the Secret Service.
CBP is designated as a “security agency,” according to a CBP staff memo on February 7, 2020, a move which allows the agency to shield information about personnel from…
New York Sues DHS over Prohibition on New Yorkers’ Inclusion in Trusted Traveler Programs
New York Attorney General Letitia James is suing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in federal court (State of New York v. Wolf et al, 1:20-cv-01127) over its new policy prohibiting New Yorkers from registering or re-registering for various Trusted Traveler Programs.
New York residents were singled out by the Trump…
Trump Administration Seeks to Crack Down on “Birth Tourism”
The Trump Administration is turning its attention to birth tourism again. President Trump was reportedly considering trying to end the practice with an executive order or by way of a constitutional challenge. But accomplishing the goal through regulation has been on the Department of State’s (DOS) agenda. DOS published a final rule on January…
DHS Unaffected by New USMCA Treaty, Continues Increased Scrutiny of TN, Other Visas
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), signed into law in 1993, eliminated trade barriers and increased investment opportunities between the three signatory countries, the United States, Mexico, and Canada. After more than 25 years, the agreement was seen to require revisions, particularly as to labor, digital trade, and data flows. A revision to NAFTA,…