US Border Crossings Drop 20%

The volumeof travel to the United States from Canada and Mexico declined by 20 percentbetween FY 2000 and FY 2004, according to data released by the Migration PolicyInstitute.  The decline was revealed by a drop in the number ofinspections at U.S.air, land, and sea ports of entry, with land inspections decreasing by 24percent.  The U.S.-Canadian border experienced a sharper decline (31percent) than the U.S.-Mexico border (21 percent).  While the steepestdrop occurred between FY 2001 and FY 2002, the volume has continued to decreaseannually.   

“These datasupport the anecdotal evidence we have been hearing in border communities abouta post-September 11 decline in discretionary travel that has yet to reverseitself,” said Senior Policy Analyst Deborah Meyers. 

Trade andmigration issues associated with border security and NAFTA was on theagenda as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met with Canadian officials last week,and when the U.S.-Mexico Binational Commission met in Washington, D.C.

In advance of these meetings, the Migration Policy Institute released afact sheet based on the latest data on trilateral trade featured at:

http://www.migrationpolicy.org/pubs/US_Canada_Mexico_1005.pdf

in March 2005.  The agreement aims to establish a common approach tosecurity while allowing for the continued movement of people, goods andservices across North American borders.

This diplomatic meetings provided an early opportunity for policymakers to evaluateprogress under the Security and Prosperity Partnership signed by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

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