Canada will carry out its first pre-clearance operation in the United States this year as part of its border security plan amid growing pressure from new US President-elect Donald Trump.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced Thursday that a two-year operation will be launched at a shared facility at the Cannon Corners port of entry in New York, which is on the other side of the border from the Covey Hill port of entry in Quebec.
During that two-year period, the Covey Hill port of entry will be closed to travellers, who will have to enter Canada through Cannon Corners instead.
“At the pre-clearance site, Canadian officials will read travelers and goods to see if they are admissible into Canada, as they have recently done at Canada’s gateways,” the CBSA said in a news release.
“It’s about screening harmful products, like firearms and drugs, before they leave the United States. “
Travellers will not be able to submit claims for refugee protection at this preclearance site, CBSA said, but they can do so at a Canadian port of entry.
Most other types of immigration requests will be accommodated at this location, the agency said.
The announcement comes weeks before Trump is due to take office. Trump has threatened to impose 25% price lists on all Canadian goods entering the United States unless Canada increases security at its borders.
Reacting to this threat, Ottawa last month unveiled a new $1. 3 billion border plan, which includes a joint strike force and a “24-hour” aerial surveillance unit for entry.
Public Safety Minister David J. McGinity said Thursday that the pre-clearance announcement “demonstrates our shared commitment to the United States for border security and streamlining valid flows of industry and travel between our two countries. “
The United States has already established preclearance operations at eight Canadian airports and one maritime facility. In those locations, U. S. Customs and Immigration may authorize or deny access to travelers or goods from Canada.
CBSA said the launch date for the first Canadian preclearance operation will be shared on its website and social media platforms.