U.S. Rep Annie Kuster

WASHINGTON — U.S. Reps. Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging the administration to re-open the U.S.-Canada border and allow vaccinated Canadians to visit the United States. Last month, Rep. Kuster led a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas urging the safe re-opening of the U.S.-Canadian border.

“Since the land border between the United States and Canada was closed on March 21, 2020, families have been divided, tourists unable to explore both nations, and business has been encumbered,” Kuster and Pappas wrote. “Lifting travel restrictions will allow families and friends to reunite after more than a year of separation, facilitate tourism along the northern border, and relieve burdens on cross-border businesses. Thankfully, Canada has taken a step in the right direction by announcing it will re-open travel to vaccinated Americans on August 9. The United States should follow Canada’s lead and allow vaccinated Canadians to visit the United States.”

“Canadian tourists spend $19 billion on average in the United States, including $500 million across northern New England,” Kuster and Pappas continued. “Allowing vaccinated Canadian tourists to travel between our two countries will spur job creation on either side of the border and keep our economies on the path to recovery. You should also let vaccinated tourists travel from Canada to the United States.”

The full letter is available below:

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Dear President Biden,

On June 10, we wrote to Secretary Mayorkas requesting action to re-evaluate travel restrictions between the United States and Canada. Today, more than a month later, vaccinations remain effective at preventing the spread of COVID-19. As vaccination rates continue to increase in both the United States and Canada, it is time for our government to re-open travel between our two countries for vaccinated individuals. Since the land border between the United States and Canada was closed on March 21, 2020, families have been divided, tourists unable to explore both nations, and business has been encumbered. Lifting travel restrictions will allow families and friends to reunite after more than a year of separation, facilitate tourism along the northern border, and relieve burdens on cross-border businesses. Thankfully, Canada has taken a step in the right direction by announcing it will re-open travel to vaccinated Americans on August 9. The United States should follow Canada’s lead and allow vaccinated Canadians to visit the United States.

Millions of Americans and Canadians have family members on either side of the border. Americans in the northern parts of our country typically enjoy easy access to Canada which enables them to maintain close, meaningful ties with their family members. The border closure has been particularly painful for these families because it has prevented this contact. While this was necessary for public health during the height of the pandemic, these restrictions may no longer be needed for vaccinated individuals. We encourage you to allow vaccinated Canadians to cross the land border to visit their loved ones.

Canadian tourists spend $19 billion on average in the United States, including $500 million across northern New England. Allowing vaccinated Canadian tourists to travel between our two countries will spur job creation on either side of the border and keep our economies on the path to recovery. You should also let vaccinated tourists travel from Canada to the United States.

Canadian businesses are also important job creators in the United States. 298 Canadian-owned businesses employ 17,000 hard-working northern New Englanders. The border closure has made it difficult for businesspeople in both the United States and Canada to conduct cross-border operations. Letting vaccinated individuals move across the land border for business travel will stimulate the American and Canadian economies by reducing a significant barrier to business operations.

Americans and Canadians have made many sacrifices to get through the COVID-19 pandemic. The time has now come for you to allow vaccinated Canadians to travel to the United States.

Sincerely,

Ann McLane Kuster

Member of Congress

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Chris Pappas

Member of Congress

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