North America invented 21st-century borders. In the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which led the United States to briefly shut its borders with Canada and Mexico, officials from the three countries collaborated to build what they called the “border of the future.” They worried that growing public fears over terrorism would slam the door on the trade and travel that were vital to the continent’s prosperity. Those fears, they hoped, could be assuaged by modern borders that would safeguard the movement of goods and lawful travelers, while adding layers of intelligence and security to keep out terrorists, criminals, and contraband. Other countries soon followed. The current global travel regime—including secure biometric passports, advance passenger screening, and fingerprint checks—was pioneered in North America two decades ago.
Few would have predicted that, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, North American leaders would embrace indefinite border closures and reject technological solutions. While the European Union is gradually opening up to vaccinated travelers from outside the bloc and has introduced digital proof of vaccine status and other health security measures, North American politicians have hunkered down. Canada and the United States recently extended their land border closure until at least July 21. The U.S. border with Mexico remains largely closed. At the G-7 meeting in Cornwall, England, in June, U.S. President Joe Biden refused to reciprocate the moves by Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and others to welcome American tourists. Instead, he announced the formation of an “expert working group” with the European Union, Britain, Canada, and Mexico—a sure sign that he feels little urgency to reopen U.S. borders.
