A provision in the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 that has until now been largely ignored has suddenly come to the center of attention now that the Canadian government has loudly registered its opinion. The rule, which would take effect in September 1998, would require all foreign citizens, including Canadians, entering or leaving the US to fill out visa forms. Canadian visitors have always been free of such restrictions. Canadian diplomats are predicting waits of several hours at the borders and say that the new law runs counter to various initiatives aimed at streamlining border formalities. US merchants have registered their concerns that the new law would have a severe impact on them as well.
While proponents of the law have emphasized the need for better enforcement at the border, two New York congressman have already sponsored legislation that would exempt Canadians from the new law. Representatives John McHugh of Watertown and Representative John LaFalce of Niagara Falls, argue that the border should remain as “document-free and hassle-free” as it has always been. Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy believes the new legislation would resolve the crisis.
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