Department of Homeland Security
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced the release of the DHS Northern Border Strategy (NBS). The NBS is the first unified DHS strategy to guide the Department’s policies and operations along the U.S.-Canada border - providing a framework for enhancing security and resiliency while expediting lawful travel and trade throughout the Northern border region.
“The U.S.-Canada border is the world’s longest common border. With communities and businesses that reach both sides of the border, the economies and security of the United States and Canada are inextricably linked,” said Secretary Napolitano. “The Northern Border Strategy provides a unifying framework for the Department’s work focused on enhancing the security and resiliency along our northern border while expediting legitimate travel and trade with Canada.”
The DHS NBS is the first Department-wide strategy to guide policy and operations at the Northern border. The NBS identifies three key goals for the Northern border:
- Deterring and preventing terrorism and smuggling, trafficking, and illegal immigration;
- Safeguarding and encouraging the efficient flow of lawful trade, travel, and immigration; and
- Ensuring community resiliency before, during, and after terrorist attacks and other disasters.
