USA (Washington Insider Magazine) – In June, the US Senate passed the Northern Border Coordination Act, a bipartisan initiative led by Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) to combat increased migration at the US-Canada border. The bill aims to boost border security by hiring more agents and establishing a coordination center at Selfridge Air Force Base in Michigan. While the Senate has approved the bill, the House of Representatives has not yet acted.
The Government Accountability Office’s 2019 report highlights the significant shortages caused by resource prioritizing at the southern border, underscoring the ongoing staffing problem along the northern border. In to solve this, the Northern Border Coordination Act seeks to improve technology, coordination, and manpower at the northern border.
Addressing critical staffing shortages
The northern border’s staffing shortage represents a serious problem. The Government Accountability Office’s 2019 report stresses the serious shortages brought on by the southern border’s resource prioritization. To solve this, the Northern Border Coordination Act seeks to improve technology, coordination, and manpower at the northern border.
According to Idahocapitalsun, the increase in migration through Canada is fueled by international smuggling networks. After arriving in Canada, migrants—mostly from Haiti, Bangladesh, India, and Mexico—often try to enter the United States. Canada has tightened visa criteria for citizens of Mexico in an effort to reduce the increasing number of people applying for asylum.
The rise in cross-border movement has escalated national security concerns. In 2023, nearly 500 individuals on the terrorist watchlist were intercepted crossing from Canada, alongside an increase in drug seizures. Legislators, including Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.), support the Northern Border Coordination Act to counter these threats.
Economic Factors Attract Migrants to the U.S.
Migration to the United States is more desirable than to Canada due economic prospects. Silvia Pedraza, a professor at the University of Michigan, claims that immigrants have superior employment opportunities in the United States, especially in sectors like construction and agriculture. In the wake of continuous discussions about border security, she highlights the importance of acknowledging the economic contributions of immigrants.
