Canada will set up its first pre-clearance operation in the United States this year as part of its plan to increase border security amid growing pressure from incoming US President-elect Donald Trump.
He The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced Thursday that a two-year operation will be launched at a shared facility at the Cannon Corners port of entry in New York, which is across the border from the Covey Hill port of entry in Quebec.
During that two-year period, the Covey Hill port of entry will be closed to travelers, who will have to enter Canada through Cannon Corners.
“At the preclearance site, Canadian officials will screen travelers and goods to decide whether they are admissible into Canada, as they currently do at Canada’s ports of entry,” the CBSA said in a news release.
“This includes detecting dangerous goods, such as firearms and drugs, before they leave the US.”
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Travelers will not be able to submit refugee protection applications at this prior authorization site, the CBSA said, but they will be able to do so at a Canadian port of entry.
Most other types of immigration applications will be handled at this location, the agency said.
The announcement comes weeks before Trump takes office. Trump has threatened to impose a 25 percent tariff on all Canadian goods entering the United States unless Canada increases border security.
In response to that threat, Ottawa unveiled a new $1.3 million border plan last month, which includes a joint strike force and a “24-hour” aerial surveillance unit for ports of entry. .
Public Safety Minister David J. McGuinty said Thursday that the pre-clearance announcement “demonstrates our shared commitment to the United States to strengthen border security and streamline the flow of legitimate trade and travel between our two countries.”
The United States already has preclearance operations at eight Canadian airports and a marine facility. At these locations, U.S. customs and immigration officials may allow or deny entry to travelers or goods entering the U.S. from Canada.
CBSA said the launch date of Canada’s first preclearance operation will be shared on its website and social media platforms.
