DETROIT, MI – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, released the following statement after the Biden Administration announced they will allow vaccinated travelers to enter the United States through land ports of entry:
“I’m pleased that President Biden has put forward a public plan that will safely reopen northern land ports of entry to vaccinated travelers. There is no question travel restrictions at our Northern Border have caused significant disruptions and challenges for Michigan’s cross-border communities and binational families.
“Today’s announcement from the Administration means businesses, workers, and all Michiganders will once again safely benefit from increased travel at our Northern Border. As Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, I’ll continue working to ensure our borders remain secure and accessible for safe trade and travel.”
Last month, Peters joined a group of his Northern Border Senate colleagues in a letter to President Biden, urging his administration to open the U.S.-Canada border to vaccinated travelers by October. Peters has additionally raised Northern Border restriction concerns directly with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, including at a hearing last month.
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Governor Whitmer also released her own statement on this development.
Governor Whitmer on Reopening Canadian Border
LANSING, Mich. -- Governor Gretchen Whitmer today issued the following statement on the Michigan-Canada border reopening for vaccinated travelers beginning next month.
"The relationship between Michigan and Canada is one built on trade, travel, and friendship. I am grateful to the government of Canada and our federal partners for coming together to reopen the Michigan-Canada border. I look forward to welcoming our neighbors as they cross the Ambassador Bridge or Detroit-Windsor Tunnel into Detroit, the Blue Water Bridge into Port Huron, or the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge into Sault Ste. Marie.
“By reopening the border, we can build on Michigan’s economic momentum. We had the third-highest GDP growth in the second quarter of 2021 and have a $3.5 billion surplus to invest in our families, communities, and small businesses. I look forward to collaborating with our Canadian friends to emerge from the pandemic and usher in a new era of economic prosperity.”
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