Border Security: Jointly Safeguarding Our Shared Boundaries

Key Chapter Title List

1. Canada Strengthens Border Security
2. Detecting and Combating Fentanyl Trafficking
3. Providing Critical New Tools for Law Enforcement
4. Enhancing Operational Coordination
5. Increasing Information Sharing
6. Reducing Unnecessary Border Traffic
7. Combating Drug Trafficking
8. Preventing Firearms Smuggling
9. Addressing Illegal Immigration and Human Trafficking
10. 2024 Fentanyl Seizures and Illegal Border Crossing Data
11. Our Shared Goal

Document Introduction

This report systematically assesses the latest state of cooperation and strategic upgrades between Canada and the United States in securing the world's longest land border. As a critical corridor with approximately 400,000 daily person crossings and $2.5 billion in daily trade, the security and efficiency of the Canada-U.S. border are vital to the overall prosperity and stability of North America. Based on the latest policy documents and operational data released from late 2024 to early 2025, this report aims to provide professional readers with an authoritative analysis of the evolution of the bilateral border security governance framework.

The report first details the Border Security Enhancement Action Plan announced by Canada in December 2024. This plan is structured around five pillars: utilizing artificial intelligence, portable X-ray machines, and new chemical detection tools to precisely target illegal drug trafficking such as fentanyl; establishing an Air Intelligence Task Force and expanding port of entry facility authorities to empower law enforcement; significantly enhancing cross-border operational coordination by creating a Canada-U.S. Joint Task Force and three regional hubs; deepening intelligence sharing with U.S. and international partners to intercept high-risk individuals and goods; and optimizing border flow management by measures such as ending flagpole travel and strengthening document controls to reduce non-essential traffic.

The report provides an in-depth analysis of bilateral cooperation practices and effectiveness in addressing specific security challenges. On the drug issue, despite the devastating consequences of the fentanyl crisis in both countries, data shows that Canada is not a primary source of U.S. fentanyl. The report emphasizes the shared challenge of fentanyl precursor chemicals from China, which both countries are jointly addressing through mechanisms like the North American Drug Dialogue and the Trilateral Fentanyl Committee. Regarding firearms smuggling, the report outlines successful joint operations such as the Cross-Border Firearms Task Force and Project JAGUAR, noting that 79% of crime guns seized in Canada in 2023 were traced back to the United States, highlighting the importance of source control and collaborative tracing.

In the areas of illegal immigration and human trafficking, the report analyzes the policy impact of extending the application of the Safe Third Country Agreement to the entire land border (including internal waterways like the Great Lakes). Citing specific data, the report illustrates that Canada's measures—including reinstating partial visa requirements for Mexican citizens, enhancing visa screening, and combating fraud—have reduced the flow of Mexican nationals illegally entering the U.S. via Canada by approximately 70%, and decreased the number of non-genuine visitors to Canada illegally entering the U.S. by 89% in the second half of 2024. Concurrently, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police successfully dismantled a cross-border human trafficking ring involving over a hundred individuals, demonstrating the effectiveness of law enforcement cooperation.

The report concludes by reaffirming the ultimate goal of bilateral cooperation: keeping the border open to legitimate trade and travel while closed to terrorists and criminals. Through close daily law enforcement and intelligence collaboration, both nations are committed to safeguarding the perimeter security of North America, embodying the interdependent security principle that a secure Canadian border is a secure American border. This report provides detailed case studies and data to support the understanding of contemporary bilateral responses to complex cross-border security threats.