BUFFALO (WBEN) - Congressman Brian Higgins has long been calling on the U.S. government to open up the land border to vaccinated Canadian citizens for non-essential travel, and it appears that time is near.
Tuesday evening, it was confirmed that U.S. will reopen its land borders to non-essential travel in November, ending a 19-month freeze due to the pandemic.
"We are here with good news, finally," said Higgins at a Wednesday morning press conference. "After 19 months, the U.S. border will be open to our Canadian neighbors. There will be a vaccine requirement, but no testing requirement."
Higgins said he's pushing for the border to reopen on November 1, and added that they're working to get the Canadian federal government to relax their testing requirement because Canadians who may be considering a visit to the U.S. could be hindered by the need for a test before being allowed entrance back into Canada.
"All of us have been admonished for the past 19 months to follow the science, to follow the data, to follow the facts, and when you do that, it leads to one clear and compelling conclusion, and that is to open the border," said Higgins.
There is some concern among immigration attorneys regarding the language on what it means to be "fully vaccinated."
"Currently, the CDC is saying if you have a mixed vaccination, meaning shot one is from Moderna and shot two is from Pfizer, you are not deemed fully vaccinated for US immigration purposes," Rosanna Berardi, an immigration attorney, said. "In Canada, because of the supply issues and shortages, many, many Canadians are mixed-vaccinated, meaning they have two different kinds of vaccinations in their system."
Congressman Chris Jacobs issued this statement: "Reopening the U.S. side of the northern border is long overdue. This action is the product of nonstop advocacy from numerous groups, including countless dedicated citizens, family members, and organizations in our area. After months of silence from the Biden administration, I am excited to soon welcome our Canadian friends and family back to Western New York, just in time for the holiday season. Separated families will be able to reunite, and small businesses will be able to welcome Canadian shoppers and finish the year strong."
Higgins is hopeful the White House will clarify some of these questions in the coming days.
