The U.S. Senate recently passed the Northern Border Coordination Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at addressing the growing migration along the U.S.-Canada border. The legislation, co-authored by Sens. Susan Collins and Gary Peters, would hire more Border Patrol agents and establish a coordination center near Detroit to enhance border security. The northern border, the longest international border in the world at over 5,500 miles, has seen a significant increase in attempted illegal crossings in recent years, with nearly 190,000 encounters in 2023, a sharp increase from previous years. The Swanton Sector, covering parts of New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire, reported a 550% increase in apprehensions from Quebec. The bill aims to address staffing shortages and national security vulnerabilities, as the northern border has seen a rise in drugs and individuals on the terrorist watchlist attempting to cross into the U.S. The influx of migrants may be driven by economic factors and the job market in the U.S. being more appealing than in Canada. Dr. Silvia Pedraza, a professor at the University of Michigan, highlighted the positive economic impact immigrants bring and the essential roles they play in industries where there is a shortage of U.S. workers. The passage of this bill is seen as crucial in addressing the growing national security threat along the northern border and ensuring the safety of communities in border states like Michigan.
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