After nearly 20 months, the U.S. land borders between the United States and Canada/Mexico reopened to vaccinated travelers in November. This means that any non-citizen travelers arriving at U.S. borders will now have to provide proof of vaccination against Covid-19 as well as a verbal attestation for their reason for travel and vaccination status. The reopening will allow families and friends to reunite for the first time since the pandemic started, which will offer a boost to the travel industry and the local economies of border towns. The restrictions closed the United States to millions of people for nearly one year.
Wondering if this latest change will impact your immigration status? Contact Attorney Eric Price today. Attorney Price and his team of skilled and experienced immigration attorneys are committed to fighting for our clients to stay together and start their new life together in the United States. Contact us at 1-855-662-2772 to learn more.
What Were The Previous Border Restrictions?
In March of 2020, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the border closed. But, President Joe Biden announced in October that it would reopen land points of entry and ferry terminals. While Canada reopened its border to U.S. citizens on August 9th, the U.S. kept its border closed until November.
Why Were Restrictions Put Into Place?
The restrictions were put into place due to the pandemic. But, now that vaccines are available, the restrictions are ready to be lifted.
What Was The Effect Of The Pandemic Travel Ban?
Due to the border being closed, families were cut off from each other, businesses along the border suffered, and much more.
The border reopening will have a profound impact on millions of families and businesses. Malls, restaurants, and downtown shops in U.S. border towns have been devastated by the closures that caused a lack of customers. In fact, one border town, San Ysidro, saw retail sales fall by 75% during the border shutdown. This forced nearly 300 businesses to close.
Loved ones have been forced to miss holidays, funerals, and family celebrations during the border closures.
What Are The New Rules?
Under the new rules, non-citizens entering the U.S. at the border must show proof of vaccination against Covid-19 and a negative Covid-19 test.
If you are preparing to arrive at a U.S. land port of entry and you are a non-citizen, you must be prepared to provide proof of Covid-19 vaccination, as outlined by the CDC, as well as a verbal statement for your reason of travel, according to the DHS website. A picture on a mobile device of your vaccine certificate will also be accepted at the border. What’s more, border patrol officers have been trained to recognize fraudulent vaccine cards.
Which Vaccines Will Be Accepted?
Covid-19 vaccines that have been approved for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO) will be accepted by border patrol. These vaccines include Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson, as well as the vaccines used overseas, AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, Covaxin, and Sinovac.
It’s also important to note that the government also announced travelers who are participating in clinical trials of Covid-19 vaccines and who are traveling for humanitarian or emergency reasons may be exempt from the vaccination requirement.
Do Children Entering The U.S Need To Be Vaccinated?
No, border officials have said that children ages 2-17 are not required to be vaccinated to enter the United States.
What Will Be The Effects Of Reopening The U.S Border?
Border officials are expecting increased traffic through the holiday season with the border reopening. As such, they plan to increase border staffing to speed up wait times and avoid heavy traffic at entry points.
People are asked to avoid crossing the border during peak times — between 4 a.m. and 9 a.m. on weekdays and between 2 p.m. and 12 a.m. on weekends.
Next Steps
If you are thinking about crossing the U.S-Mexico or U.S-Canada border, you should first and foremost get vaccinated against Covid-19 and get your vaccine card. We also recommend taking a picture of your vaccine card just in case you lose or forget your physical card. You’re also encouraged to download the CBP One mobile app to fill out the necessary paperwork before you arrive at the border crossing to make the process as efficient as possible.
If you have any other questions regarding new border policies in the United States, contact Attorney Eric Price.
Contact Attorney Eric Price Today!
Attorney Eric Price and his team are immigration law experts. They keep up with changing immigration laws and policies and bring their clients the most accurate and up-to-date information in order to build the strongest cases and solidify their futures in America. If you’d like to eland more about how Attorney Eric Price can help you claim your piece of the American Dream, contact him today.
