Smart Border Accord: Is It Really Smart? Security Between Friends in the Post 9/11 World.

In the aftermath of September 11, 2001 both Canada and the United States have begun to reexamine their immigration and security policies. Bolstering the screening of temporary visitors, as well as permanent immigrants and refugees has become a priority for both the United States and Canada. Shared border agreements have been updated and signed by both countries, and new initiatives are being discussed. As I write this, new technologies to help border security between the two countries are being tested, and in some cases installed at various border crossings. However, the task is daunting. There are 135 land border crossings, 203 airports, 187 commercial vessel points and 313 small marine points between the two countries. Add to that approximately two hundred million people that cross the US-Canada border every year and no wonder it is extremely difficult and challenging to have safe borders while maintaining the openness that Canada and the United States have traditionally shared. Since September 11 however, perceived flaws in the system have been emphasized. From an American standpoint, Canada's refugee policy and lack of visa coordination for visitors from certain countries is a "sore spot" on the relations between the two countries, and these policies are seen by lawmakers as compromising American security. From the Canadian viewpoint, the challenge is to address those fears while maintaining sovereignty over its borders and immigration policies, and continued pursuit of openness towards refugees and asylum claimants. This study will examine our, Canadian and American existing national and cross-border accords and agreements in general, and it will look at specifically the Shared Border Accord (SBA) and the technology needed for to achieve the full benefits offered by the SBA. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]