Statement by Congressman Brian Higgins on extension of US-Canada travel ban through Nov. 21

Congressman Brian Higgins, D-NY-26) who serves as co-chair of the Congressional Northern Border Caucus, released the following statement in response to the continued closing of the U.S.-Canada border:

“This week, Canada has extended its ban on Americans crossing the Northern border for the seventh time. It’s heartbreaking to have the door to our closest neighbor closed for eight months, but easy to see why Canada continues to make this decision.

“As long as the U.S. president rejects scientific facts, calls medical experts ‘idiots’ and politicizes masks and other common sense health and safety protocols, coronavirus cases will rise, lives will be unnecessarily lost, and Americans will be seen as unwelcome health threat to our allies around the world. 

“The administration’s pandemic response, which lacks a coordinated, comprehensive strategy, is chaotic, irresponsible and embarrassing. 

“Nevertheless, the American people have the power to turn this around, to look out for one another and to make sacrifices for the good of our community and the country.”

The border between the U.S. and Canada first closed due to the pandemic on March 24 and has been extended multiple times. The first extension was through May 20, then June 22, July 21, Aug. 21 and Sept. 21. This week, the current order – set to expire Oct. 21 – was extended through Nov. 21. 

Higgins has fought for the development of a plan that takes a nuanced approach to reopening the border and has pushed for reciprocal family reunification measures and exemptions for property owners.