WASHINGTON, D.C. (WBEN/AP) - The U.S. government is extending a ban on nonessential travel along the borders with Canada and Mexico to slow the spread of COVID-19 despite increasing pressure to lift the restriction.
The Department of Homeland Security said in a tweet Friday that the restrictions on nonessential travel were still needed to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and the delta variant. It extended the ban until at least Sept. 21.
U.S. border communities that are dependent on shoppers from Mexico and Canada and their political representatives have urged the Biden administration to lift the ban. In addition, Canada recently began letting fully vaccinated U.S. citizens enter the country.
Buffalo Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) who serves as co-chair of both the Northern Border Caucus released a statement, calling the decision a huge mistake.
"The U.S. – Canadian relationship is integral for our economies and life-quality. The failure to make opening the border the priority that it should be is a huge mistake. There has not been enough attention placed on the value and opportunity that comes with restoring connections between our two nations. It is beyond disappointing; it is hurtful both at a human and economic level."
Higgins on Friday reiterated his criticisms of the ongoing border closure and said the Biden Administration continues to give no indication about a plan to reopen it.
"Both economies have been negatively impacted," Higgins said. "This has been a very frustrating several months and my frustration is the voice of those who appeal to me to try to help them. Loved ones have been separated for 17 months...The reality is that the White House's silence on this, in addition to being unacceptable, is in direct conflict with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that says very clearly, if you are fully vaccinated, you have strong immunity from giving or getting COVID."
Will Higgins consider holding up Biden-backed legislation in response to the ongoing border shutdown? The congressman said he will use whatever leverage he can to underscore how unacceptable the situation is.
"These cabinet officials will come before the (Ways and Means) committee," Higgins said. "I've spoken with the Canadian Ambassador to the United States and the US ambassador to Canada designee, he has to be approved by the Senate. Maybe there's a leverage point."
Niagara Falls Mayor Rob Restaino said small businesses in the city continue to struggle with the loss of Canadian travelers.
"In times like this, I think that the public is looking for that kind of leadership and that kind of leadership on this issue has to come from this administration," Restaino said. "I know that they're struggling with what is a 50-state problem. Those of us on the border are playing by the rules that have been given to us and are looking to get the kind of assistance and incentive to grow and incentive for vaccines. We do that, I think, by allowing a safe, smart strategy that allows for those who are fully vaccinated to move freely across."
Congressman Chris Jacobs (NY-27) issued this statement following the decision.
"Extending the closure of the U.S. – Canada border again without answers demonstrates the sheer inability of this administration to adequately plan or provide transparent answers to the American people. Our shared border should have been open months ago. This administration's failure to do so has forced our small businesses to suffer economically from another missed tourism season, and more heartbreaking, they have prolonged the suffering of thousands of families," said Jacobs.
He went on to say, "Enough is enough. The President needs to stop passing the buck and reopen the U.S. – Canada border immediately."
