Recent (December 2021) Cancelation of Nexus Interviews

My wife and I had Nexus that expired at the start of covid.  My Nexus was renewed but my wife needs to complete an interview.  I think this is an issue that not many people know about.  

Recently (December 2021)  CBP in Port Huron  canceled interviews for Nexus, the trusted traveler program used by sailors (and many citizens with other travel needs) to cross the international border between the United States and Canada by boat. The interviews were recently canceled due to increased cases of the corona virus. In particular, my wife Susan Camaiore's interview was canceled.   Every day that CBP is not doing interviews, more people need one and the line gets longer.  



Last summer we Great Lakes Sailors were not able to travel to Canada due to travel restrictions by the Canadian and United States governments or unclear policies by CBP for returning to the United States due to the Covid 19.  



Now it seems like society may never achieve herd immunity to Covid 19. The covid seems likely to become endemic like the flu. Some health experts are suggesting that this may be the new normal.



I am suggesting that the government continue to adopt policies that allow people to resume their usual activities during covid in a guarded mode. For example, policies that allow citizens to cross the international border with vaccination records and negative test results seem reasonable.  



People are allowed to go to the store unmasked, remain unvaccinated, congregate in restaurants and bars, fly on airplanes, and resume other activities with some safeguards in place. But the government, in particular Customs and Border Protection, is putting roadblocks in place, by putting Nexus approvals on hold, by being uncommunicative about border crossing for boaters, or by making the policy that since boating is not essential travel it should not be allowed. In my opinion CBP unfairly singles out and penalizes the Great Lakes Sailors.



I am asking that the government 1) keep the international border  open, 2) work within both governments and other nations to keep borders open for vaccinated travelers, particularly boaters, 3) and most importantly direct Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection and the respective Canadian ministries to immediately begin processing applications and renewals for NEXUS and other trusted traveler programs so that vaccinated and tested citizens will have the documentation needed to streamline their border crossings.