Life at the Border By Wendi Williams, Editor

I recently took a trip to Quebec City and was struck by the heightened level of security at the borders of Michigan and Canada. Then I remembered the major headlines that ran a few days earlier. Toronto officials had impounded three tons of bomb-making material and arrested 12 adults and five youths for allegedly plotting to commit terrorist acts. This is a scenario that Americans understand all too well, and terrorist acts such as suicide bombings are commonplace in our global society. But living under the constant threat of terrorism makes the job of border patrol doubly challenging. After all, these brave men and women are America's first line of defense against random acts of violence. Life has definitely changed at the border and it is up to border officials to consistently enforce those changes.

On any given day, employees of the United States (US) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will process nearly 1.2 million people, excluding the more than 600,000 internationals, along with millions of dollars in fees or import taxes. They may investigate an estimated 500 terrorist-related inquiries and seize numerous vehicles or pounds of narcotics, meat, and produce, along our ports and land borders. Border patrol could stop as many as 1,000 non-citizens or 50 known criminals from crossing into the United States illegally, not to mention intercepting hundreds of fake documents (CBP, 2006). These professionals are keenly aware that anyone they encounter could cause potential harm, so it is little wonder they perform their duties with stern faces and commanding authority.

Another controversial issue affecting life at the border involves illegal immigrants, particularly our Mexican neighbors. However, border reform is necessary in light of our present global climate and for purposes of national security. Unfortunately, this leaves many immigrants, visitors, and American citizens caught in the crossfire. For example, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 stipulates that all persons traveling to Mexico or Canada by boat or plane will need a passport to enter or re-enter America by December 31, 2006. Gone are the days of just using a seal-embossed birth certificate or a government-issued identification card to crossover to neighboring countries. This requirement will extend to the Caribbean, Bermuda, and Panama by January 1, 2008. It is wise to review all travel regulations on entering and re-entering your country of residence and the country you are visiting. Ideal websites to find up-to-date travel information are the US Department of State at http://travel.state.gov and the Electronic Embassy Web site at embassy.org.

Whatever your travel plans are in the upcoming year, give yourself enough time to go through all the proper checkpoints. When re-entering the United States, I was first escorted on and off an elevator with other passengers by an airline official before going through a minimum of four or five checkpoints. This included a baggage check point where I had to leave my larger luggage prior to entering the hub of Detroit's Metropolitan International Airport. I am quite sure that bag went through yet another x-ray surveillance machine. Although no two airport security systems are alike, if any of the machines buzz as you pass through, then be prepared to undergo a more in-depth security check that ranges from the removal of your shoes to an officer passing a detection wand over your body. And don't even bother locking your luggage. Chances are you will be called to a specified location to unlock it for inspection. Although the screening process seems like an invasion of your privacy, my advice to you is to simply comply with CBP's wishes to avoid being arrested or possibly paying a stiff fine.

Biometric technology will certainly help to make life easier for those passing to and from America. E-passports, for instance, were tested earlier this year between the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. E-Passports contain an embedded chip with biographic data and a digital photo of each person to help deter identification fraud. Travelers under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) are expected to present an e-Passport by October 26, 2006. The VWP allows internationals to visit the US on business or leisure for 90 days or less without a travel visa. The day will come when all global citizens will be issued an e-Passport. That day starts this summer for persons living in the United States (US Department of State, 2006). To apply for a passport in your area, visit http://iafdb.travel.state.gov.

Yes, it is 2006 and life is quite different at the border since September 11, 2001. Terrorism is by far the most significant factor driving border security reform, followed by the issue of illegal immigrants. Let's face it, we live in an unpredictable world climate and what happens in one corner of the globe, greatly affects what happens in another. The courageous people who patrol our borders must always be on guard for hidden and unexpected dangers. Let's all try to do our part as well to ensure pleasant and hopefully, safe travel.

References
United States Customs and Border Protection. (May 2006). Fact sheet: On a typical day.

United States Department of Homeland Security. (April 18, 2006). DHS completes international e-Passport live test. Press Room.

United States Department of State. (July 2005). Visa waiver program.

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