JANUARY 31 END OF ORAL DECLARATION CREATES FEW

UNCLAS OTTAWA 000191 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAN, WHA/MEX, AND CA/PPT E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC CASC KHLS CA SUBJECT: JANUARY 31 END OF ORAL DECLARATION CREATES FEW PROBLEMS OR BACKUPS AT THE U.S-CANADA LAND BORDER REF: MEXICO 312 ¶1. (U) Summary: The situation along the U.S.-Canada border following the January 31 implementation of the requirement that U.S. and Canadian citizens show proof of citizenship (rather than simply making an oral declaration) was similar to that reported in reftel concerning the southern border. Most ports of entry reported very high rates of compliance with the new documentary requirements. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers kept lines moving by exercising flexibility with non-compliant travelers, giving them a verbal admonishment to get documented as well as a tear sheet explaining acceptable documentation. Canadian citizens entering the U.S. were highly compliant, perhaps thanks to Government of Canada advertisements in local and national media and a mass mailing of the new rules to millions of homes the week before implementation. The fact that CBP inspectors have been giving all travelers the tear sheet since December probably also contributed to awareness and a high compliance rate. End summary. ¶2. (U) ConGen Halifax reported that ports of entry in its district were seeing compliance rates close to 100 percent. Halifax notes that most of the residents living along the land border were well aware of the tighter documentary requirements and have prepared to meet them. Traffic at the ports was not experiencing delays. ConGen Montreal reported high rates of compliance and no delays at ports going into New York and Vermont. The percentage of Americans and Canadians presenting passports has increased markedly since last summer. ¶3. (U) Ports south of Ottawa were experiencing at least 95 percent compliance with no wait, no lines. ConGen Toronto said that CBP and tunnel/bridge operators at the major ports in its district are reporting non-events. Traffic was reported moving quickly at Detroit, Sarnia, and Buffalo. ¶4. (U) In Winnipeg's district, the busiest ports reported better than 90 percent compliance and no delays or incidents related to the new procedures. Calgary said that most travelers in its district were compliant (and most presented passports),but some delays were observed at the biggest port of entry going into Montana. ¶5. (U) Vancouver said that CBP supervisors at the ports of entry report no delays or complaints related to the end of oral declarations. They reported close to 100 percent compliance and "business as usual." ¶6. (U) Comment: The phased-in implementation of the proof of citizenship requirement for travelers on the land border, just as the phased-in implementation of the passport requirement last year for air travelers, seems to have avoided the problems and delays many had anticipated. CBP has been able to keep the traffic and trade flowing, while at the same time encouraging people to get the required documentation. The purposefully vague ending date for phased-in implementation of the proof of citizenship requirement will likely spur travelers to get such proof. Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada BREESE