U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Jacobson and the Canadian Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Jason Kenney signed a U.S.-Canada Visa and Immigration Information-Sharing Agreement on December 13, 2012.
This agreement will enable Canada and the United States to share information from third country nationals who apply for a visa or permit to travel to either country. This will better protect the safety and security of Americans and Canadians and facilitate legitimate travel and business. Increased information sharing will support better decision-making by both countries to confirm applicants’ identities, and identify risks and inadmissible persons at the earliest opportunity. It will increase safety and security, as both countries work to identify terrorists, violent criminals, and others who pose a risk before they reach our borders. All officers working on immigration and refugee protection will be equipped with more information to make decisions. This will better protect the safety and security of Americans and Canadians alike and further facilitate legitimate travel.
The agreement authorizes development of arrangements under which the United States may send an automated request for data to Canada, such as when a third country national applies to the United States for a visa or claims asylum. Such a request would contain limited information, such as name and date of birth in the case of biographic sharing, or an anonymous fingerprint in the case of biometric sharing. If the identity matches that of a previous application, immigration information may be shared, such as whether the person has previously been refused a visa or removed from the other country. The same process would apply in reverse when a third country national applies to Canada for a visa or claims asylum. Biographic immigration information sharing is set to begin in 2013, and biometric sharing in 2014.
Under the agreement, information will not be shared regarding U.S. or Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Any information shared on travellers and asylum seekers will be handled responsibly and, as with other information sharing agreements, exchanged in accordance with relevant U.S. and Canadian laws.
As an expert in international relations and immigration policy, I have a comprehensive understanding of the U.S.-Canada Visa and Immigration Information-Sharing Agreement signed on December 13, 2012. This agreement, inked between U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Jacobson and the Canadian Minister of Citizenship, Immigration, and Multiculturalism Jason Kenney, marks a significant milestone in the collaboration between the two nations to enhance the safety, security, and efficiency of their immigration systems.
The primary objective of this agreement is to enable the United States and Canada to share information about third-country nationals applying for visas or permits to enter either country. The overarching goal is to bolster the safety and security of both Americans and Canadians while facilitating legitimate travel and business activities. I'll break down the key concepts and components of this noteworthy agreement:
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Information Sharing Purpose:
- The agreement allows for the exchange of information on third-country nationals applying for visas or permits in either the United States or Canada.
- The shared information aims to better confirm applicants' identities, identify risks, and detect inadmissible persons at an early stage in the immigration process.
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Enhanced Decision-Making:
- The increased information sharing is intended to support better decision-making by immigration and refugee protection officers in both countries.
- Officers will be equipped with more comprehensive information to make informed judgments about applicants, contributing to enhanced safety and security measures.
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Scope of Information Shared:
- The agreement authorizes the development of arrangements for the United States to request data from Canada, and vice versa.
- Biographic information, such as name and date of birth, and biometric information, including anonymous fingerprints, may be shared to verify identities and immigration history.
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Implementation Timeline:
- Biographic immigration information sharing was set to commence in 2013, while the sharing of biometric information was scheduled to begin in 2014.
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Exclusions:
- Notably, the agreement specifies that information sharing will not extend to U.S. or Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
- The handling of shared information is governed by relevant U.S. and Canadian laws, ensuring responsible and lawful exchange.
In conclusion, the U.S.-Canada Visa and Immigration Information-Sharing Agreement represents a strategic effort by both nations to strengthen their immigration systems, improve border security, and streamline legitimate travel and business activities. The timeline for implementation, the types of information shared, and the careful exclusion of citizens and permanent residents underscore the meticulous planning and collaboration involved in crafting this impactful agreement.
