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U.S. looking at more high-tech security solutions along border with Canada

Canadian Press

Thursday, February 09, 2006

WASHINGTON (CP) - Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff says building a security fence along the Canadian border would make sense if a lot of people were sneaking into the United States from a large city.

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But Chertoff says he's not aware of a problem like that. Most American security troubles occur at the Mexican border, and only two or three per cent of U.S. apprehensions are people coming from Canada. Still, Chertoff says the department is looking at more high-tech security solutions in the north, including aerial surveillance and satellites. The U.S. House of Representatives has already approved legislation to build a fence on the southern border with lights and cameras.

And American legislators will also study a barrier with Canada, a move criticized by business groups as absurd.

U.S. officials recently announced plans to speed up removing illegal immigrants caught near the Canadian border. They're also working on an identity card that Americans would need to show after returning home from visits to Canada.