[Wallace T.]

Until 9-11, you didn't need a passport to go to Canada or return. Several of the 9-11 hijackers first traveled by ferry from Canada to Maine, then went on to Logan Airport in Boston for their date with infamy. The absence of border controls between the two countries could open both to illegal aliens, us from Asia, them from Latin America. Nothing against Canada, but both nations gave been separate for over two centuries and should remain so. We do not need incremental union through an open border and the like.

[Snowyman]

Didn’t happen.

9-11 hijackers first traveled by ferry from Canada to Maine = urban myth .

[woodbutcher1963]

Understood, I do not necessarily agree with the proposal on an open border. However, I do think there are many regulations on commerce between US/Canada that could be relaxed to make international trade less expensive.

[woodbutcher1963]

Actually, they flew into Portland, ME international airport and then flew into Logan. They were cleared by US Customs in ME.

The fact is they could have flown into Canada and easily WALKED across the VT, NH or ME border if they really wanted to. The VT, NH, Canada border is a 100 yard open strip of land where they have removed the trees. There are no guard shacks that can see every place on the border. Also, there are several lakes, rivers that are on the border. There are 1000’s of places to easily cross undetected.

The show “Homeland” had an episode where an Iranian flew into Montreal and rented a car. He left his rental car in Canada walked across and was picked up in one of the small VT border towns by a friend. This would be very easy to accomplish and not far fetched at all.