By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – A plan that would require Americans to have passports to re-enter the United States from Canada is not being well received by those who promote a seamless border.
The Bush administration says safeguarding US border crossings is necessary in post 9/11 America. But for people in the Buffalo area who are used to crossing the border with ease, the plan is raising concerns.
Buffalo Niagara Partnership President Andrew Rudnick says the passport requirement will hurt Buffalo's economy.
"The more that gets in the way of Buffalo Niagara being a bi-national community, where people can cross from Ontario to New York State as readily and quickly as they do from New York to Pennsylvania, I think the more limitation there is on our economic growth," Rudnick said.
Rudnick said the passport requirement would have an adverse impact on the thousands of people who cross the border to work as well as those who would want to come and shop at the proposed Bass Pro store in Buffalo. He said they all rely on a fluid movement between the United States and Canada.
"While this is understandable from a macro, world-wide security point of view, it doesn't make sense from a regional point of view," Rudnick said.
US Senator Charles Schumer says the administration's plan to tighten the borders should not affect businesses that depend on travelers from Canada. The New York Democrat said he'll do everything he can to protect tourism and cross border commerce in Western New York.