The U.S. and Canadian governments have agreed on a plan to strengthen security at the border while improving the flow of vital truck traffic.
The agreement, signed Monday, includes expanding integrated border enforcement teams, adding Canadian officials to the U.S. foreign terrorist tracking task force, and tightening the visa entry process, reports the Associated Press.
Since the attacks of Sept. 11, border crossings have been slowed due to tighter security, affecting the flow of goods across the border. The automotive industry, in particular, was affected when just-in-time parts loads were held up at the border.
In addition, the United States will increase the federal presence along the 4,000-mile border. More than 400 National Guard troops are being deployed to 43 land, sea and air ports of entry in 12 states. Military helicopters will also patrol the border.
"Just like we have some National Guardsmen at our airports now, we need to relieve some of our folks to get back to their normal duties by having National Guardsmen help with inspections at the border," said Attorney General John Ashcroft on "Fox News Sunday."
Currently, only about 500 U.S. agents are stationed at the U.S.-Canadian border. In comparison, there are 9,000 on the Mexican border, which is about half the size.
The signing of the agreement came just a few hours before Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge asked Americans to return to a high state of alert Monday, citing threats of more terrorist attacks.
Federal officials said the alert should continue at least through the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan in mid-December.
Monday's warning from the FBI to law enforcement nationwide, as well as to the general public, was the third since the Sept. 11 attacks. The FBI issued the two others on Oct. 11 and Oct. 29.
Ridge did not cite a specific threat, but said U.S. intelligence had seen an increase in the volume of information warning in general of more attacks.
The agreement, signed Monday, includes expanding integrated border enforcement teams, adding Canadian officials to the U.S. foreign terrorist tracking task force, and tightening the visa entry process, reports the Associated Press.
Since the attacks of Sept. 11, border crossings have been slowed due to tighter security, affecting the flow of goods across the border. The automotive industry, in particular, was affected when just-in-time parts loads were held up at the border.
In addition, the United States will increase the federal presence along the 4,000-mile border. More than 400 National Guard troops are being deployed to 43 land, sea and air ports of entry in 12 states. Military helicopters will also patrol the border.
"Just like we have some National Guardsmen at our airports now, we need to relieve some of our folks to get back to their normal duties by having National Guardsmen help with inspections at the border," said Attorney General John Ashcroft on "Fox News Sunday."
Currently, only about 500 U.S. agents are stationed at the U.S.-Canadian border. In comparison, there are 9,000 on the Mexican border, which is about half the size.
The signing of the agreement came just a few hours before Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge asked Americans to return to a high state of alert Monday, citing threats of more terrorist attacks.
Federal officials said the alert should continue at least through the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan in mid-December.
Monday's warning from the FBI to law enforcement nationwide, as well as to the general public, was the third since the Sept. 11 attacks. The FBI issued the two others on Oct. 11 and Oct. 29.
Ridge did not cite a specific threat, but said U.S. intelligence had seen an increase in the volume of information warning in general of more attacks.
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