Does it make sense from a security perspective to treat differently our northern and southern borders?
From a security perspective it does not make sense to treat our two borders differently. But the United States does just that. There is an extraordinary degree of cross-border cooperation between Canada and the U.S. to facilitate the $1 billion a day in trade and the travel of 220 million people each year. On the northern border, we usually manage to deal with our security needs without disrupting the flow of people and goods. Our southern border is another story altogether. In contrast to the northern border where our government’s actions reflect the view that our security imperatives need not disrupt the flow of people and goods, our southern border is characterized by a hardening that I fear does not make us safer. In fact, long lines and delays make it more difficult for our ports-of-entry personnel to screen people and goods adequately and appropriately as they seek to enter this country. This situation is unwise because our relationship with Mexico is one of our most important bi
