Mr. President. today I am introducing legislation to amend a controversial provision in last years illegal immigration legislation that threatens to stifle legal travel and commerce between the United States and Canada. Section 110 of the 1996 Immigration Reform Act requires the Immigration and Naturalization Service to develop an automated entry and exit system for the purpose of documenting the entry and departure of every alien entering and leaving the United States. The legislation I am introducing today. will amend the illegal immigration legislation to clarify that records of entry and departure are not required for Canadians. This is consistent with longstanding U.S. policy toward Canadian citizens traveling to the United States. My constituents are extremely concerned about the onerous implications .of section 110. As a frequent visitor to Bellingham and Whatcom County. I hear again and again from the local community about the importance of unimpeded travel between the United States and Canada. Ive visited the border crossings at Blaine. WA. At certain times. travel between the United States and Canada is already subject to lengthy delays and traffic backups that sometimes exceed 1 mile in length. Section 110 will further complicate border crossings if it is ever instituted on our northern border. I have been a long proponent of strengthening and promoting the partnership between Washington State and British Columbia. Canada.
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border crossing Naturalization illegal immigration Immigration