US-Canada Border Information

Many travelers coming to Whitefish Montana arrive through Canada which lies just a few miles to the north. In the past, traveling in and out of Canada from the U.S. has been easy. However, recent events have tightened border protection regulations. Gone are the days when showing a U.S. or Canadian diver's license is sufficient. To cross the U.S./Canada border into the U.S., you must show a valid passport or the recently developed NEXUS card.

Although all travelers coming from Canada must show a passport or NEXUS card, it is up to the Canadian government as to what documentation is sufficient for entry into Canada.

NEXUS

The NEXUS program is in the early stages of development. It is designed to accommodate citizens of U.S. and Canada who cross the border frequently. It allows prescreened, low-risk travelers to proceed with little delay from U.S. or Canadian border officials. NEXUS card holders will pass through a designated NEXUS lane and thus make border crossing more efficient. However, NEXUS is only allowed in a few designated ports of entry in Washington, New York, and Michigan. There is not a NEXUS crossing in Montana.

Action Plan for Creating a Secure and Smarter Border*

In December 2001, the U.S. and Canada met to design and implement a comprehensive plan for a tighter, more secure border. The plan focuses on four major areas:

Secure Flow of People

• Resume and evaluate the NEXUS (Easy-pass) pilot project for two-way movement of pre-approved travelers at Sarnia-Port Huron.

• Share Advance Passenger Information on flights between Canada and the United States, and increase the number of Canadian and U.S. immigration officers at overseas airports.

• Promote additional systems to identify travelers who pose security risks while maintaining the current flow of law-abiding people between the countries.

Secure Flow of Goods

• Devise and implement innovative, smart technologies, including common cargo screening, harmonized commercial processes at the border, and compatible security standards to identify dangerous cargo while expediting the flow of low-risk goods. This will include secure procedures to clear goods on the factory floor, at rail yards, and at marine ports.

Secure Infrastructure

• Relieve congestion at key crossing points by investing reciprocally in border infrastructure and identifying technological solutions that will help to speed movement across the border. Nearly 70% of traffic and over 80% of the value of goods flowing between the two countries passes through just six border crossings

Coordination and Information Sharing in the Enforcement of these Objectives

• Strengthen coordination between law enforcement agencies for addressing common threats.

*Information provided by USINFO.state.gov