WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States and Canada share the longest international border in the world, spanning 5,525 miles. The two countries are also economically tied, fostering nearly $1 trillion in bilateral trade. To ensure secure and efficient operation of the shared border, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is tasked with updating the Northern Border Threat Analysis every three years and the Northern Border Strategy every five years to safeguard it. 

The last Northern Border Threat Analysis was completed in 2017 and has not been updated since. 

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), co-chair of the Senate American-Canadian Economy and Security (ACES) Caucus, joined U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) in introducing the Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act. Specifically, the legislation strengthens DHS efforts to monitor and manage northern border threats by requiring an updated Northern Border Threat Analysis every three years and an updated Northern Border Strategy every five years. The analysis must also include an assessment of changes in apprehensions at the northern border, including sector-level reviews. 

Additionally, the bill directs DHS to implement a U.S. Government Accountability Office recommendation by requiring the development of performance measures within 180 days to assess U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations effectiveness in securing the northern border. 

“With the United States and Canada sharing the world’s longest border, our economic and national security interests are intertwined,” said Cramer. “National security threats are not restricted to the southern border so a comprehensive approach is necessary. I joined Senator Hassan in introducing the Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act to ensure the dependability and safety of our shared border for the families and communities who live on both sides of the border.”

“Strengthening security of our Northern border is vital to keeping both New Hampshire and our country safe,” said Hassan. “This bipartisan legislation will require regular assessments of our Northern border security to prevent criminal activity. I will continue to work closely with law enforcement officials at our Northern border to provide them with the tools and resources that they need to combat these evolving threats and keep our communities safe.” 

“Customs and Border Protection agents have struggled to address a dramatic increase in the number of unauthorized crossings at our northern border,” said Gillibrand. “This bill is a commonsense, bipartisan measure to give federal law enforcement and congressional leaders more data and strategic direction to address the situation, which will help protect our national security. I am proud to cosponsor this bill, and I look forward to working across the aisle to get it passed.”

“Our border security policies must address the unique challenges along the U.S.-Canada border, where vast, remote areas make enforcement difficult,” said Collins. “By improving data collection and oversight of threats and enforcement efforts, this bipartisan bill would strengthen security, improve coordination, and help to ensure we have the resources needed to protect our northern border effectively.”

Click here for bill text.