Extra security sought along Canadian border

MONTPELIER, Vt. – The number of U.S. agents patrolling the U.S.-Canadian border could triple in the wake of the terror attacks in New York and Washington.

An anti-terrorism bill being rushed through Congress would add extra personnel to both the Immigration and Naturalization Service and U.S. Customs Service to increase security on the northern border.

The details have yet to be worked out about a timetable, how the new workers would be added or where they would come from.

Officials who work along the border say the staffing would be welcome, although absorbing so many new people could present some logistical challenges.

Until the Sept. 11 attacks in New York and Washington, many remote border crossings in northern New England and upstate New York were staffed by one person at a time. Now most of those crossings are staffed by two people.

“At one time we were pretty comfortable to let people stay alone,” said Noel Induni, the officer in charge of the INS region that covers 14 ports of entry in Vermont and one in New Hampshire. “I am not comfortable anymore.”

The legislation that would increase the border staffing was introduced by Vermont’s Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy. In addition to the extra staffing, the legislation would provide $50 million to update technology and buy other needed equipment.

“I think a number of would-be terrorists see this as an easy way into the country,” Leahy said. “There is growing realization between the United States and Canada that some of this can be stopped with better law enforcement and intelligence sharing.”

An important aspect of heightened security along the border would be to not slow down legitimate traffic, both commercial and personal.