Human Capital Travel across the Canadian-US Border - Research Paper Example

Daily travel of Human Capital across the Canadian-US border and how it has been complicated after 9/11 Abstract This paper aims to disclose the daily travelling patterns of human capital across the Canadian-US border and the way it has been affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. There was a frequent movement of human capital between the two countries in the pre-9/11 era. However, after 9/11, the American Security agencies strictly narrowed the border crossing policies which ultimately reduced the number of individuals travelling from Canada to US. Introduction Human capital refers to the knowable and intellectual humans who are exceptionally efficient in performing different jobs and tasks. This also indicates those individuals who possess university degrees and therefore are able to perform their duties in a much better way. They have distinctive personalities, creativity and personified ability to tackle with different situations in a much scholarly manner. Canada and United States of America shares a common border line which facilitates human capital to travel from Vermont to New York [Jul11]. Since years there was a significant movement of human capital from Canadian-US border. People used to travel from Canada to United States due to their jobs or businesses in the US or for the sake of tourism. However, this smooth motion between the countries got highly affected soon after the incident of 9/11. Thereafter the border crossing policies of both countries have changed which has generated immense difficulties for people crossing border on daily basis [Jul11]. Discussion Before the event of 9/11 there was an informal crossing of human capital with no strict checking or documentation. It was not only the human capital that used to frequently cross the border but it included others as well. For instance, people from Canada used to go America for simplest things such as dinner or shopping. People used to search for cheaper things and high paid jobs in US and this was considered very normal in both the countries. At times individuals working in US used to cross border even without proving their identification to the border officials. The overall environment on the border was very friendly which provided immense assistance to those who want to start careers in US. In addition to this the Canadian economy had a sufficient supply of human capital which was then utilized to achieve the US economic goals and objectives. People living on the border line were also affected as the US Department of Homeland and Security was narrowing the rules for border crossing and accommodation around the border line. In the pre-9/11 era these people had the most convenient access to all the financial and job markets of US [Jul11]. Apart from seeking jobs in US, people from Canada had invested great amount of money in United States. In a nut shell the daily travel of human capital was supported by the authorities of both countries and it was a substantial part of their economy [Jul11]. People of both the countries were travelling back and forth for earning and pleasure purposes when the event of 9/11 took place. Two of the most substantial buildings of US were targeted by the terrorists and as a result people witnessed great destruction. Soon after this incident, travelling to United States had become very difficult for people all around the world. Among them, Canadian human capital got affected the most and since then the US security departments had increased their border crossing restrictions [Jul11]. There was no more smooth travelling between the two countries which had not only affected the everyday lifestyle of Canadians but it also had a great impact over the US economy since now it had to find the human capital from within the country. Unfortunately this all started when some local newspapers erroneously reported that some terrorists had entered the boundaries of United States from Canada [Jul11]. Things were already very difficult for Canadians and this report from one of the newspapers got them even worse. These reports were considered very seriously by the major authorities of US that even after eight years of publication, the Secretary of Homeland Security of America mentioned to the FOX News, which is one of the leading news channels of United States, that the strictness between the borders is due to the fact that Canada has a weak immigration policy which allows those individuals to easily travel to Canada whom US must have rejected entrance [Jul11]. The higher authorities of United Stated consider that people immigrating to Canada might prove hazardous for the sustenance of Americans and therefore they have imposed such strict border crossing rules and regulations [Jul11]. To create intervention in the smooth border crossing of human capital from Canada to United Stated, the legal authorities of US have spent billions of dollars primarily to install new checking technologies and varied identification processes. Among the most prominent activity that has been displayed by the US officials was the up gradation of entry ports, increased inspection through a significant number of border officers and the substantial use of technology to carry out the surveillance [Jul11]. Now every individual who is travelling from Canada to US has to prove his/her identity to the border officers. Passports along with other documents are used for this purpose. In addition to this people who are not travelling across the border rather they are just doing their respective jobs somewhere around the border line, are also closely observed by the US officials who can even call them from time to time in order to prove their identity and working purposes. This has increased the difficulties for people residing in that area as they are often questioned about things they haven’t been involved in. At 100 different points around Vermont and New York; the US security commission has placed roadblocks so as to prevent the smooth travelling of people and also to identify individuals who might be dangerous for US[Jul11]. Even the Canadians are checked for their passports in public transports within the 100 miles of the border line. The stops have become invasive in the past few years which have significantly affected the travel of human capital. It is comparatively easier for people to go through all these strict checking on entering the New York premises once in a year. However, the human capital that has to travel on daily basis cannot handle this extensive scrutiny from US officials for longer. This is due to following reasons [Jul11]: Crossing the border line between the two cites of Canada and US causes immense trouble and difficulties for people who have to travel carrying their passports and other documents on daily basis. Majority of human capital has declined to face these security inspections and therefore they have to quit their jobs in US. People travelling in urgent situations fail to reach their destinations on time. Students and employees have to answer several questions regarding their identity, interest, travelling details, regional background and other similar questions and the situation often becomes exceptionally annoying for human capital travelling on daily basis. The scrutiny becomes unbearable when the officers try to investigate about extremely personal things. For instance, a college student Pascal Abidor was traveling back to home in New York from Canada. While crossing the border he was extensively inquired about his interests, personal life, ideas about Islam and reasons for travelling to Middle East. Additionally the boy reports that they had taken away his laptop and checked all the personal files including saved photos and conversations. Thereafter the American Civil Liberties cased against the US officers for pulling Abidor into unnecessary inspection. However, the case is still going on in the courts with no proceedings [Jul11]. The post 9/11 security restrictions have also affected the business activities across Canada and US since the investors have to face extensive inspections before getting into any business dealing. For instance, Boldt Castle who operates in Thousand Island in Canadian Senate reports that the number of tourist coming to America have greatly declined mainly due to the border crossing restrictions. The number of ships at the sea shores has also greatly reduced along with the loss of $420,000 annually [Jul11]. Furthermore he added that in order to advance business operations in both countries the US authorities would have to smoothen the border crossing examination [Jul11]. If a businessman is required to wait for an hour or so to get at the desired location then it is a great loss for the financial status of the business and there is a probability that the business would not continue its activities in that region. Politicians have been working hard so as to get an ease in border restrictions while ensuring the security of both sides. However, in the past 10 years no significant leniency is given to the businessmen. The overall situation of border has actually forced some businessmen to close down their business activities due to the legal and political issues. One similar example is of Mark Barie, who had been working as a consultant for businessmen to get them working visa in US since 30 years. However, he was forced to sell his business two years ago and reported the reason for this act the strictness at the borders which has immensely increased after 9/11[Jul11]. The top most priority of US security officials is to ensure security rather than amplifying business operations. This indicates that the human capital which was frequently travelling to the US has now significantly reduced. This has resulted in creating poor economic impacts for both the countries. In the USA, they are facing issues in covering up the reduced human capital whereas in Canada they need to develop more employment opportunities so as to utilize the prestigious human capital of the country [Jul11]. The Secretary of US Security Department, Janet Napolitano, commented that the suspicious individuals and terrorist in US travel through the Canadian border therefore the higher authorities cannot bring ease to the border crossing procedures. However, at the same time the secretary reassures the business community that their money invested in US is completely safe [Jul11]. The security is strict at key positions only because the overall length of the border between Canada and US is 4000 miles which is a huge land to be guarded from the entrance of some terrorist [Jul11]. Although the American forces are using the most advanced security systems still they are unable to stop smuggling and transport of some highly radioactive and toxic materials. This has compelled the US forces to further increase the security at the borders with every coming day, subsequently leading towards the maximum reduction of human capital travelling from Canada to US [Jul11]. Following is the brief criteria required to be followed as per the latest improvements in the border crossing restrictions [BOR13]: Travelers are required to present their passports, cards of air NEXUS or the document of Coast Guard Merchant Mariner, US. Drivers would have to show their updated driving licenses. In order to reduce traffic at the borders travelers are suggested to keep a check of waiting board. Individuals below the age of 18 years are not allowed to make purchases at the duty-free shops. While crossing the border, travelers would have to undergo several sessions of inspection that would be based upon their personal details and travelling history. Conclusion There was a frequent travel of human capital to United States of America from Canada. Both countries share a very large border of around 4,000 miles from Vermont to New York. Before the incident of 9/11 there was no strict checking for the travelers crossing the border in fact they were not required to present their passports as well. However, soon after 9/11 some of the American newspapers reported that terrorists are entering US premises from Canadian border. Thereafter the US security agencies increased the border security to the highest level which significantly reduced the travel of human capital to US. The Secretary of Homeland Security in US says that US is having extensive security policies due to the fact that Canada allows entrance of those individuals in the country whom US must have rejected. With the passage of time the security is increasing because the border is very huge and forces are still unable to protect it fully. This has ultimately resulted in increased issues for the individuals and businessmen who try to get into US. This has led to the reduction of human capital travelling to US. References Jul11: , (Grant, 2011), Jul11: , (Grant, 2011), BOR13: , (Border Crossing, 2013), Read More