The Department of Homeland Security will extend the bans on nonessential land travel across the U.S. borders with Canada and Mexico, according to Federal Register notices set to be published on Wednesday, June 23.

Key Points:

  • The land border restrictions will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 21.
  • Only “essential travel” will be permitted through border crossings along the U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico borders.
  • The list of individuals engaging in “essential travel” includes:
    • U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) returning to the U.S.
    • Individuals traveling for medical purposes, to attend educational institutions and for public health purposes.
    • Individuals traveling for work in the U.S. (e.g., agricultural workers), individuals engaging in lawful cross-border trade (e.g., truck drivers transporting goods), or those traveling for a limited number of other reasons.
  • The bans do not apply to air or sea travel, but do apply to passenger rail travel, passenger ferry travel and pleasure boat travel.

Additional Information: The bans on nonessential travel across land borders from Canada and Mexico have been in place since March 2020 and subsequently extended for 30-day periods since then.

This alert has been provided by Berry Appleman & Leiden. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@balglobal.com.

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