Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik and Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) introduced a bill to begin restoring travel into the U.S. at land ports of entry along the U.S. – Canada Border. This comes after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) extended the restrictions on non-essential travel into the U.S. across the northern border through July 21 without establishing a transparent plan for reopening the border or establishing long-sought exemptions for family members and property owners.
“The Biden administration’s inability to establish a plan to restore cross-border travel and relax travel restrictions is simply unacceptable for families and businesses located along the northern border,” said Congresswoman Stefanik. “Our communities have waited over a year for clarity and signs of progress, yet this administration keeps extending the closures without a promising end in sight. This bill will allow families to reconnect with their loved ones and property owners to access their own homes, and will begin to restore the prosperous economic partnership that border communities share with our northern neighbors.”
“It is unacceptable that President Biden continues to ignore the needs of Montanans and keep the northern border closed while supporting the southern border being wide open to a surge of illegal immigrants and a flood of illegal drugs into our Montana communities,” Daines said. “Access to the northern border is critical for Montana jobs, agriculture and tourism. We cannot wait any longer for Biden to do what’s right—it’s time to reopen the northern border for Montana.”
The “Restoring Northern Border Travel Act” requires DHS to expand the categories of permitted travel across the U.S. – Canada border to include individuals traveling to visit family members or property in the U.S., attend business meetings or site-visits, or access U.S. airports. Additionally, the bill requires DHS to submit to Congress and begin implementing a plan to fully restore non-essential travel into the U.S. at the northern border.
Congresswoman Stefanik and Senator Daines have repeatedly called for the Biden administration to take action to reopen the northern border, most recently calling for unilateral steps towards easing restrictions.
Find Congresswoman Stefanik’s most recent letters to the administration here and here.
Find Senator Daines’ most recent letters to the administration here and here.
Read more about the bill 
here.
