U.S.-Canada Visa and Immigration Information-Sharing Agreement

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U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Jacobson and the CanadianMinister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Jason Kenney signed a U.S.-CanadaVisa and Immigration Information-Sharing Agreement on December 13,2012.

This agreement will enable Canada and the United States to shareinformation from third country nationals who apply for a visa or permit totravel to either country. This will better protect the safety andsecurity of Americans and Canadians and facilitate legitimate travel andbusiness. Increased information sharing will support better decision-making byboth countries to confirm applicants’ identities, and identify risks andinadmissible persons at the earliest opportunity. It will increase safety and security,as both countries work to identify terrorists, violent criminals, and otherswho pose a risk before they reach our borders. All officers working onimmigration and refugee protection will be equipped with more information tomake decisions. This will better protect the safety and security of Americansand Canadians alike and further facilitate legitimate travel.
The agreement authorizes development of arrangements underwhich the United States may send an automated request for data to Canada, such aswhen a third country national applies to the United States for a visa or claimsasylum. Such a request would contain limited information, such as name and dateof birth in the case of biographic sharing, or an anonymous fingerprint in thecase of biometric sharing. If the identity matches that of a previousapplication, immigration information may be shared, such as whether the personhas previously been refused a visa or removed from the other country. The sameprocess would apply in reverse when a third country national applies to Canadafor a visa or claims asylum. Biographic immigration informationsharing is set to begin in 2013, and biometric sharing in 2014.
Under the agreement, information will not be sharedregarding U.S. or Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Any informationshared on travelers and asylum seekers will be handled responsiblyand, as with other information sharing agreements, exchanged in accordance withrelevant U.S. and Canadian laws.
Source: U.S.Department of State 
If you have any questions or need assistance with your immigration matter,please do not hesitate to contact our office. 
Sharlene Mae Bagon, Esq.BAGON LAW FIRM6700 Fallbrook AvenueSuite 125HWest Hills, CA 91307Toll Free: (888) 992-2466Main Tel.: (818) 539-0120 Fax: (888) 589-0804www.bagonlawfirm.com