SECURING THE NORTHERN BORDER

By leveraging international partnerships, increasing manpower and assets, harnessing 21st century technology, and implementing the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, DHS is strengthening security along the U.S./Canada border. Following are a few examples of successful operations and apprehensions along the Northern Border.

• U.S./Canadian Authorities Shut Down The First Ever Tunnel Found Along Shared Border: “Federal agents have shut down an elaborate, 360-foot drug-smuggling tunnel dug underneath the U.S.-Canadian border - the first such passageway discovered along the nation's northern edge, officials said Thursday…The tunnel ran from a quonset hut on the Canadian side and ended under the living room of a home on the U.S. side, 300 feet from the border. Built with lumber, concrete and metal reinforcing bars, it was equipped with lights and ventilation, and ran underneath a highway.” (“Feds shut down drug-smuggling tunnel under U.S.-Canadian border”, Associated Press, 07/21/2005)



• U.S./Canadian Authorities Dismantle Major Human Smuggling Network: “Representatives from United States Attorney’s Office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Border Patrol ended the far-reaching human smuggling network suspected of illegally bringing dozens of Indian and Pakistani nationals across the international border into Washington state… Infrared images captured by CBP Border Patrol surveillance cameras show some of the aliens aided by the ring being escorted across the border in a remote area of the state. Once they reached the United States, the smuggled aliens were often transported to area hotels, where they waited until the defendants arranged for outbound airline flights to cities throughout the United States. “This type of cooperative effort between Canadian and American law enforcement agencies demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that our shared border remains closed to criminal activity,” said Chief Superintendent Bud Mercer, Royal Canadian Mounted Police. “The RCMP looks forward to continued cooperation with our American partners to ensure the interests of both countries are respected and our borders remain secure.” (Press Release, 4/12/2006).



• ICE Arrests Murder Suspect, Utilized US-VISIT Cross Referencing: “Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at the land border port of Lewiston, N.Y., arrested a native of the Republic of Georgia who was wanted for murder in Germany. Cross referencing existing US-VISIT fingerprints with Interpol fingerprints revealed that the alias of a Canadian truck driver and frequent border crosser matched the suspect’s, which resulted in the arrest of this dangerous fugitive.” (Press Release, 05/08/2005)



• U.S./Canadian Authorities Bolster Security For The Super Bowl: “U.S. agencies in Detroit and Canadian police officers in its sister city across the river charged with national security also are stepping up their defence in anticipation of Sunday's game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Extra security is being posted on the Ambassador Bridge which connects the two cities, police divers are patrolling the Detroit River and Mounties have been authorized to make arrests on both sides of the border. Add in the possibility of fighter jets in the skies over Windsor and Detroit and you have super security for Super Bowl XL…On the U.S. side, the lead security agency is the Detroit Police Department, which is co-operating with U.S. organizations such as Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.” (“U.S., Canada Mount Super Bowl Defence”, Edmonton Journal, 02/02/2006)