On Monday, May 24, the Department of Homeland Security and US Customs and Border Protection announced the mutual decision to continue to temporarily limit travel between Canada and the United States and Mexico and the United States.
What to Expect for Travel between the US and Canada and Mexico?
- These restrictions go into effect at 12 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on May 22, 2021, and will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. EDT on June 21, 2021.
- This Notification does not apply to air, freight rail, or sea travel between the United States and Canada or the United States and Mexico, but does apply to passenger rail, passenger ferry travel, and pleasure boat travel between the United States and Canada and the United States and Mexico.
- Travel through the land ports of entry and ferry terminals along the United States-Canada border shall be limited to “essential travel,” which includes, but is not limited to
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- U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents returning to the United States;
- Individuals traveling for medical purposes (e.g., to receive medical treatment in the United States);
- Individuals traveling to attend educational institutions;
- Individuals traveling to work in the United States (e.g., individuals working in the farming or agriculture industry who must travel between the United States and Canada or Mexico in furtherance of such work);
- Individuals traveling for emergency response and public health purposes (e.g., government officials or emergency responders entering the United States to support Federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial government efforts to respond to COVID-19 or other emergencies);
- Individuals engaged in lawful cross-border trade (e.g., truck drivers supporting the movement of cargo between the United States and Canada or Mexico);
- Individuals engaged in official government travel or diplomatic travel;
- Members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and the spouses and children of members of the U.S. Armed Forces, returning to the United States; and
- Individuals engaged in military-related travel or operations.
- The following travel does not fall within the definition of “essential travel” for purposes of this Notification—
- Individuals traveling for tourism purposes (e.g., sightseeing, recreation, gambling, or attending cultural events).
- The following travel does not fall within the definition of “essential travel” for purposes of this Notification—
The travel limitations at the borders’ land ports of entry should not interrupt legitimate trade between the two nations or disrupt critical supply chains that ensure food, fuel, medicine, and other critical materials reach individuals on both sides of the border.
Background
On March 24, 2020, DHS, in coordination with its counterparts in Canada and Mexico, announced it would temporarily limit travel from Canada and Mexico into the United States at land ports of entry to “essential travel.” DHS has since extended the limitations each month.
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to send updates as more news is available. If you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions, please contact your employer or EIG attorney.