Our Demands
We understand that closing of the border in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic was, and still is, sensible and necessary. But the mental health and well-being of those Americans separated from their family is important as well.
We are not asking for open borders. We are asking the United States Government, at a minimum, for parity with the travel exemptions put in place by the Canadian government. This parity in travel exemptions will allow for Canadians with specific relationships with US Citizen or Green Card holders to cross the US land border from Canada. We believe this is the right first step to reopening the longest undefended land border in the world and normalizing relations with our neighbors to the North.
Immediate Family
spouse or common-law partner
dependent child
dependent child of a dependent child
parent or step-parent
guardian or tutor
Extended Family
in an exclusive dating relationship, have been in the relationship for at least 1 year and have spent time in the physical presence of that person at some point during the relationship
a non-dependent child (adult child)
a grandchild (dependent child of a non-dependent adult child)
a sibling, half-sibling or step-sibling
a grandparent
If you’re related to the spouse or common-law partner of a American citizen or permanent resident, you must be a
non-dependent child (adult child)
grandchild (dependent child of a non-dependent adult child)
sibling, half-sibling or step-sibling
grandparent
If you’re related to someone in an exclusive dating relationship with a American citizen or permanent resident, you must be a
dependent child
non-dependent child (adult child)
grandchild (dependent child of a non-dependent adult child)
Compassionate Exemptions
In addition to family travel exemptions, we request the compassionate exemptions for those travelers who do not meet the aforementioned requirements. If you’re a foreign national traveling to American for a compassionate reason, you must apply for authorization to travel to and enter the United States. Examples of compassionate reasons can include:
being present during the final moments of life for a loved one
providing support to a person deemed critically ill
providing care to a person who medically requires support
attending a funeral or end-of-life ceremony
Biden-Harris Transition Memo
The campaign has submitted a memo to the Biden-Harris Transition: Department of Homeland Security Review team, explaining the impact the border closure has had on families, and asking President-elect Joe Biden to sign an executive order directing the Department of Homeland Security to create family travel exemptions.
To: Biden-Harris Transition; Department of Homeland Security review team
From: Let Us Reunite
Re: Family travel exemptions across the U.S./Canada land border
INTRODUCTION
Let Us Reunite is a volunteer-led campaign asking the United States Government for compassionate travel exemptions to allow for families to reunify via the land border between the US and Canada. Founded in October 2020, our membership represents nearly 1,500 Americans and Canadian families who have been separated from their loved one because of the March 21, 2020 border closure between the US and Canada. These couples, parents and children, grandparents, adult child caregivers to their elderly parents each have a story that speaks of the loss that comes with separation, the physical and mental toll that happens, and the hope for eventual reunification. (See Appendix A)
BACKGROUND
When the US-Canadian land border closed at 11:59pm on March 20, 2020, life changed drastically for those with spouses, parents, committed partners, and children of both sides of the border. Only U.S. citizens, dual citizens, permanent residents and those considered essential were allowed to cross.
On June 8, 2020 the Canadian government announced an executive action, creating travel exemptions that allow for the reunification of immediate family members. The United States Government did not reciprocate. On October 2, 2020, the Canadian government amended their travel exemptions to allow for reunification of extended family members and on compassionate grounds. Again, the United States Government did not reciprocate. (See Appendix B)
While air travel from Canada into the United States is not restricted, the cost of tickets is prohibitive for many families. The health risks associated with air travel means that high-risk individuals such as the elderly and the immunocompromised cannot fly. Border families who live less than an hour apart now face expensive travel nightmares with multiple connections that can take longer than 10 hours. (See Appendix C)
REUNIFYING FAMILIES AT THE US/CANADIAN BORDER
We ask that on day one, President Biden issue an executive order directing the Department of Homeland Security to create a policy of compassionate family travel exemptions across the US-Canadian land border, allowing for immediate & extended family reunification. This order should align with the Canadian family reunification policy.
Any family travel exemptions enacted should be in line with state or any potential federal COVID-19 health and quarantine procedures. These exemptions should not come at the expense of the public health; Canadians reuniting with their American family must be held to any current federal, state and local health restrictions. This shows a commitment toward stopping the spread of COVID-19, while acknowledging the physical, mental and emotional toll that people face when separated from their loved ones.
Since March 20, the border closure has been extended each month, with no dialogue or plan for reopening the border. We believe reciprocal family travel exemptions are an important first step in the framework to reopening the border. Mirroring the Canadian exemptions will send a strong signal to Canada that the United States is willing to work on a safe, science-based plan to reopen the border.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
While Let Us Reunite urges the President-elect to make the compassionate family travel exemptions a reality, we are cognizant that there is much to learn from the process instituted by Canada to carry out their extended family travel exemptions. Under this onerous process, each foreign national and Canadian family member must complete a form, containing an affidavit which is signed by the sponsoring Canadian family member and notarized. The form is then sent to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and authorized on a case-by-case basis, within 14 days business days.
The launch of the travel exemption program was not smooth, with the majority of authorizations occurring outside the 14-day period. Many authorizations have been rejected due to missing documentation that was never requested, and some applicants were never notified that their authorization was approved or denied. There is no tracking system for applicants to check their application status, and the IRCC openly has discouraged applicants from following up on their application.
Let Us Reunite asks that the President’s executive order mandates four characteristics of the process for compassionate family travel exemptions:
Immediate family members granted instant access to crossing the US/Canadian land border with proper documentation of familial ties
A simple, streamlined process with easy to understand instructions for extended family reunification
A transparent process with the ability for follow-up and track progress
That Customs and Border Patrol staff have sufficient training to effectively enact this process, including but not limited to accepting whatever proof of relationship DHS deems appropriate to prove familial ties