Notification of Temporary Travel Restrictions Applicable to Land Ports of Entry and Ferries Service Between the United States and Canada, 31059-31060 [2020-11145]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 100 / Friday, May 22, 2020 / Rules and Regulations DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY U.S. Customs and Border Protection 19 CFR Chapter I Notification of Temporary Travel Restrictions Applicable to Land Ports of Entry and Ferries Service Between the United States and Canada Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. ACTION: Notification of continuation of temporary travel restrictions. AGENCY: This document announces the decision of the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) to continue to temporarily limit the travel of individuals from Canada into the United States at land ports of entry along the United States-Canada border. Such travel will be limited to ‘‘essential travel,’’ as further defined in this document. SUMMARY: These restrictions go into effect at 12 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on May 21, 2020 and will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. EDT on June 22, 2020. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alyce Modesto, Office of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at 202–344–3788. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DATES: Background On March 24, 2020, DHS published notice of the Secretary’s decision to temporarily limit the travel of individuals from Canada into the United States at land ports of entry along the United States-Canada border to ‘‘essential travel,’’ as further defined in that document.1 The document described the developing circumstances regarding the COVID–19 pandemic and stated that, given the outbreak and continued transmission and spread of COVID–19 within the United States and globally, the Secretary had determined that the risk of continued transmission and spread of COVID–19 between the United States and Canada posed a ‘‘specific threat to human life or national interests.’’ The Secretary later published a notification continuing 1 85 FR 16548 (Mar. 24, 2020). That same day, DHS also published notice of the Secretary’s decision to temporarily limit the travel of individuals from Mexico into the United States at land ports of entry along the United States-Mexico border to ‘‘essential travel,’’ as further defined in that document. 85 FR 16547 (Mar. 24, 2020). VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:08 May 21, 2020 Jkt 250001 such limitations on travel until 11:59 p.m. EDT on May 20, 2020.2 The Secretary has continued to monitor and respond to the COVID–19 pandemic. As of May 18, there are over 4.6 million confirmed cases globally, with over 310,000 confirmed deaths.3 There are over 1.4 million confirmed and probable cases within the United States,4 over 76,000 confirmed cases in Canada,5 and over 47,000 confirmed cases in Mexico.6 Notice of Action Given the outbreak and continued transmission and spread of COVID–19 within the United States and globally, the Secretary has determined that the risk of continued transmission and spread of COVID–19 between the United States and Canada poses an ongoing ‘‘specific threat to human life or national interests.’’ U.S. and Canadian officials have mutually determined that non-essential travel between the United States and Canada poses additional risk of transmission and spread of COVID–19 and places the populace of both nations at increased risk of contracting COVID– 19. Moreover, given the sustained human-to-human transmission of the virus, returning to previous levels of travel between the two nations places the personnel staffing land ports of entry between the United States and Canada, as well as the individuals traveling through these ports of entry, at increased risk of exposure to COVID–19. Accordingly, and consistent with the authority granted in 19 U.S.C. 1318(b)(1)(C) and (b)(2),7 I have 2 85 FR 22352 (Apr. 22, 2020). That same day, DHS also published notice of the Secretary’s decision to continue temporarily limiting the travel of individuals from Mexico into the United States at land ports of entry along the United StatesMexico border to ‘‘essential travel,’’ as further defined in that document. 85 FR 22353 (Apr. 22, 2020). 3 WHO, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID–19) Situation Report—119 (May 18, 2020), available at https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/ coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200518-covid-19sitrep-119.pdf?sfvrsn=4bd9de25_4. 4 CDC, Cases of COVID–19 in the U.S. (last updated May 18, 2020), available at https:// www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/casesupdates/cases-in-us.html. 5 WHO, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID–19) Situation Report—119 (May 18, 2020). 6 Id. 7 19 U.S.C. 1318(b)(1)(C) provides that ‘‘[n]otwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of the Treasury, when necessary to respond to a national emergency declared under the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) or to a specific threat to human life or national interests,’’ is authorized to ‘‘[t]ake any . . . action that may be necessary to respond directly to the national emergency or specific threat.’’ On March 1, 2003, certain functions of the Secretary of the Treasury were transferred to the Secretary of PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 31059 determined that land ports of entry along the U.S.-Canada border will continue to suspend normal operations and will only allow processing for entry into the United States of those travelers engaged in ‘‘essential travel,’’ as defined below. Given the definition of ‘‘essential travel’’ below, this temporary alteration in land ports of entry operations should not interrupt legitimate trade between the two nations or disrupt critical supply chains that ensure food, fuel, medicine, and other critical materials reach individuals on both sides of the border. For purposes of the temporary alteration in certain designated ports of entry operations authorized under 19 U.S.C. 1318(b)(1)(C) and (b)(2), travel through the land ports of entry and ferry terminals along the United StatesCanada border shall be limited to ‘‘essential travel,’’ which includes, but is not limited to— • U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents returning to the United States; • Individuals traveling for medical purposes (e.g., to receive medical treatment in the United States); • Individuals traveling to attend educational institutions; • Individuals traveling to work in the United States (e.g., individuals working in the farming or agriculture industry who must travel between the United States and Canada in furtherance of such work); • Individuals traveling for emergency response and public health purposes (e.g., government officials or emergency responders entering the United States to support federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial government efforts to respond to COVID–19 or other emergencies); • Individuals engaged in lawful crossborder trade (e.g., truck drivers supporting the movement of cargo between the United States and Canada); • Individuals engaged in official government travel or diplomatic travel; Homeland Security. See 6 U.S.C. 202(2), 203(1). Under 6 U.S.C. 212(a)(1), authorities ‘‘related to Customs revenue functions’’ were reserved to the Secretary of the Treasury. To the extent that any authority under section 1318(b)(1) was reserved to the Secretary of the Treasury, it has been delegated to the Secretary of Homeland Security. See Treas. Dep’t Order No. 100–16 (May 15, 2003), 68 FR 28322 (May 23, 2003). Additionally, 19 U.S.C. 1318(b)(2) provides that ‘‘[n]otwithstanding any other provision of law, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, when necessary to respond to a specific threat to human life or national interests, is authorized to close temporarily any Customs office or port of entry or take any other lesser action that may be necessary to respond to the specific threat.’’ Congress has vested in the Secretary of Homeland Security the ‘‘functions of all officers, employees, and organizational units of the Department,’’ including the Commissioner of CBP. 6 U.S.C. 112(a)(3). E:\FR\FM\22MYR1.SGM 22MYR1 31060 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 100 / Friday, May 22, 2020 / Rules and Regulations • Members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and the spouses and children of members of the U.S. Armed Forces, returning to the United States; and • Individuals engaged in militaryrelated travel or operations. The following travel does not fall within the definition of ‘‘essential travel’’ for purposes of this Notification— • Individuals traveling for tourism purposes (e.g., sightseeing, recreation, gambling, or attending cultural events). At this time, this Notification does not apply to air, freight rail, or sea travel between the United States and Canada, but does apply to passenger rail, passenger ferry travel, and pleasure boat travel between the United States and Canada. These restrictions are temporary in nature and shall remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. EDT on June 22, 2020. This Notification may be amended or rescinded prior to that time, based on circumstances associated with the specific threat. The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is hereby directed to prepare and distribute appropriate guidance to CBP personnel on the continued implementation of the temporary measures set forth in this Notification. The CBP Commissioner may determine that other forms of travel, such as travel in furtherance of economic stability or social order, constitute ‘‘essential travel’’ under this Notification. Further, the CBP Commissioner may, on an individualized basis and for humanitarian reasons or for other purposes in the national interest, permit the processing of travelers to the United States not engaged in ‘‘essential travel.’’ The Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, Chad F. Wolf, having reviewed and approved this document, is delegating the authority to electronically sign this document to Chad R. Mizelle, who is the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the General Counsel for DHS, for purposes of publication in the Federal Register. Chad R. Mizelle, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the General Counsel, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. [FR Doc. 2020–11145 Filed 5–20–20; 4:15 pm] BILLING CODE 9112–FP–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:08 May 21, 2020 Jkt 250001 DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY Office of Foreign Assets Control 31 CFR Part 541 Zimbabwe Sanctions Regulations Office of Foreign Assets Control, Treasury. ACTION: Final rule. AGENCY: The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is amending the Zimbabwe Sanctions Regulations to remove a general license that authorizes all transactions involving Agricultural Development Bank of Zimbabwe and Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe as a result of these entities being removed from OFAC’s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List). DATES: This rule is effective May 22, 2020. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: OFAC: Assistant Director for Licensing, tel.: 202–622–2480; Assistant Director for Regulatory Affairs, tel.: 202–622– 4855; or Assistant Director for Sanctions Compliance & Evaluation, tel.: 202–622– 2490. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: Electronic Availability This document and additional information concerning OFAC are available on OFAC’s website (www.treasury.gov/ofac). Background On July 29, 2004, OFAC issued the Zimbabwe Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 541 (69 FR 45246, July 29, 2004) (the ‘‘Regulations’’) as an interim final rule to implement Executive Order (E.O.) 13288 of March 6, 2003 (‘‘Blocking Property of Persons Undermining Democratic Processes or Institutions in Zimbabwe’’). Subsequently, E.O. 13391 of November 22, 2005 (‘‘Blocking Property of Additional Persons Undermining Democratic Processes or Institutions in Zimbabwe’’) and E.O. 13469 of July 25, 2008 (‘‘Blocking Property of Additional Persons Undermining Democratic Processes or Institutions in Zimbabwe’’) were issued pursuant to the national emergency declared in E.O. 13288. On July 25, 2008, OFAC designated the Agricultural Development Bank of Zimbabwe and the Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe pursuant to E.O. 13469. At that time, OFAC determined that these entities contributed to the undermining of democratic processes and institutions in PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Zimbabwe by providing support for Robert Mugabe’s regime. On April 24, 2013, OFAC issued Zimbabwe General License No. 1, authorizing all transactions involving the Agricultural Development Bank of Zimbabwe and the Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe, subject to certain limitations, and published this general license on its website (www.treasury.gov/ofac). On July 9, 2013, OFAC also published this general license in the Federal Register. On July 10, 2014, OFAC amended the Regulations to adopt as a final rule the interim final rule originally issued on July 29, 2004, with changes to implement E.O. 13391 and E.O. 13469, and to incorporate Zimbabwe General License No. 1 into § 541.510 of the Regulations (79 FR 39312, July 10, 2014). On February 3, 2016, OFAC removed the Agricultural Development Bank of Zimbabwe and the Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe from the SDN List. This rule amends the Regulations to remove the general license that was located in § 541.510, as authorization is no longer required to engage in transactions with these entities. In addition, OFAC is updating the authorities citation of the Regulations to shorten citations to conform with Federal Register guidance. Public Participation Because the Regulations involve a foreign affairs function, the provisions of Executive Order 12866 and the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553) requiring notice of proposed rulemaking, opportunity for public participation, and delay in effective date, as well as the provisions of Executive Order 13771, are inapplicable. Because no notice of proposed rulemaking is required for this rule, the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601–612) does not apply. Paperwork Reduction Act The collections of information related to the Regulations are contained in 31 CFR part 501 (the ‘‘Reporting, Procedures and Penalties Regulations’’). Pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507), those collections of information have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1505– 0164. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a valid control number. E:\FR\FM\22MYR1.SGM 22MYR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 100 (Friday, May 22, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31059-31060]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-11145]



[[Page 31059]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

19 CFR Chapter I


Notification of Temporary Travel Restrictions Applicable to Land 
Ports of Entry and Ferries Service Between the United States and Canada

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland 
Security.

ACTION: Notification of continuation of temporary travel restrictions.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document announces the decision of the Secretary of 
Homeland Security (Secretary) to continue to temporarily limit the 
travel of individuals from Canada into the United States at land ports 
of entry along the United States-Canada border. Such travel will be 
limited to ``essential travel,'' as further defined in this document.

DATES: These restrictions go into effect at 12 a.m. Eastern Daylight 
Time (EDT) on May 21, 2020 and will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. 
EDT on June 22, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Alyce Modesto, Office of Field 
Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at 202-344-3788.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    On March 24, 2020, DHS published notice of the Secretary's decision 
to temporarily limit the travel of individuals from Canada into the 
United States at land ports of entry along the United States-Canada 
border to ``essential travel,'' as further defined in that document.\1\ 
The document described the developing circumstances regarding the 
COVID-19 pandemic and stated that, given the outbreak and continued 
transmission and spread of COVID-19 within the United States and 
globally, the Secretary had determined that the risk of continued 
transmission and spread of COVID-19 between the United States and 
Canada posed a ``specific threat to human life or national interests.'' 
The Secretary later published a notification continuing such 
limitations on travel until 11:59 p.m. EDT on May 20, 2020.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 85 FR 16548 (Mar. 24, 2020). That same day, DHS also 
published notice of the Secretary's decision to temporarily limit 
the travel of individuals from Mexico into the United States at land 
ports of entry along the United States-Mexico border to ``essential 
travel,'' as further defined in that document. 85 FR 16547 (Mar. 24, 
2020).
    \2\ 85 FR 22352 (Apr. 22, 2020). That same day, DHS also 
published notice of the Secretary's decision to continue temporarily 
limiting the travel of individuals from Mexico into the United 
States at land ports of entry along the United States-Mexico border 
to ``essential travel,'' as further defined in that document. 85 FR 
22353 (Apr. 22, 2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Secretary has continued to monitor and respond to the COVID-19 
pandemic. As of May 18, there are over 4.6 million confirmed cases 
globally, with over 310,000 confirmed deaths.\3\ There are over 1.4 
million confirmed and probable cases within the United States,\4\ over 
76,000 confirmed cases in Canada,\5\ and over 47,000 confirmed cases in 
Mexico.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ WHO, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Report--
119 (May 18, 2020), available at https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20200518-covid-19-sitrep-119.pdf?sfvrsn=4bd9de25_4.
    \4\ CDC, Cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. (last updated May 18, 
2020), available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html.
    \5\ WHO, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Report--
119 (May 18, 2020).
    \6\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Notice of Action

    Given the outbreak and continued transmission and spread of COVID-
19 within the United States and globally, the Secretary has determined 
that the risk of continued transmission and spread of COVID-19 between 
the United States and Canada poses an ongoing ``specific threat to 
human life or national interests.''
    U.S. and Canadian officials have mutually determined that non-
essential travel between the United States and Canada poses additional 
risk of transmission and spread of COVID-19 and places the populace of 
both nations at increased risk of contracting COVID-19. Moreover, given 
the sustained human-to-human transmission of the virus, returning to 
previous levels of travel between the two nations places the personnel 
staffing land ports of entry between the United States and Canada, as 
well as the individuals traveling through these ports of entry, at 
increased risk of exposure to COVID-19. Accordingly, and consistent 
with the authority granted in 19 U.S.C. 1318(b)(1)(C) and (b)(2),\7\ I 
have determined that land ports of entry along the U.S.-Canada border 
will continue to suspend normal operations and will only allow 
processing for entry into the United States of those travelers engaged 
in ``essential travel,'' as defined below. Given the definition of 
``essential travel'' below, this temporary alteration in land ports of 
entry operations should not interrupt legitimate trade between the two 
nations or disrupt critical supply chains that ensure food, fuel, 
medicine, and other critical materials reach individuals on both sides 
of the border.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ 19 U.S.C. 1318(b)(1)(C) provides that ``[n]otwithstanding 
any other provision of law, the Secretary of the Treasury, when 
necessary to respond to a national emergency declared under the 
National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.) or to a specific 
threat to human life or national interests,'' is authorized to 
``[t]ake any . . . action that may be necessary to respond directly 
to the national emergency or specific threat.'' On March 1, 2003, 
certain functions of the Secretary of the Treasury were transferred 
to the Secretary of Homeland Security. See 6 U.S.C. 202(2), 203(1). 
Under 6 U.S.C. 212(a)(1), authorities ``related to Customs revenue 
functions'' were reserved to the Secretary of the Treasury. To the 
extent that any authority under section 1318(b)(1) was reserved to 
the Secretary of the Treasury, it has been delegated to the 
Secretary of Homeland Security. See Treas. Dep't Order No. 100-16 
(May 15, 2003), 68 FR 28322 (May 23, 2003). Additionally, 19 U.S.C. 
1318(b)(2) provides that ``[n]otwithstanding any other provision of 
law, the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, when 
necessary to respond to a specific threat to human life or national 
interests, is authorized to close temporarily any Customs office or 
port of entry or take any other lesser action that may be necessary 
to respond to the specific threat.'' Congress has vested in the 
Secretary of Homeland Security the ``functions of all officers, 
employees, and organizational units of the Department,'' including 
the Commissioner of CBP. 6 U.S.C. 112(a)(3).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For purposes of the temporary alteration in certain designated 
ports of entry operations authorized under 19 U.S.C. 1318(b)(1)(C) and 
(b)(2), travel through the land ports of entry and ferry terminals 
along the United States-Canada border shall be limited to ``essential 
travel,'' which includes, but is not limited to--
     U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents returning to 
the United States;
     Individuals traveling for medical purposes (e.g., to 
receive medical treatment in the United States);
     Individuals traveling to attend educational institutions;
     Individuals traveling to work in the United States (e.g., 
individuals working in the farming or agriculture industry who must 
travel between the United States and Canada in furtherance of such 
work);
     Individuals traveling for emergency response and public 
health purposes (e.g., government officials or emergency responders 
entering the United States to support federal, state, local, tribal, or 
territorial government efforts to respond to COVID-19 or other 
emergencies);
     Individuals engaged in lawful cross-border trade (e.g., 
truck drivers supporting the movement of cargo between the United 
States and Canada);
     Individuals engaged in official government travel or 
diplomatic travel;

[[Page 31060]]

     Members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and the spouses and 
children of members of the U.S. Armed Forces, returning to the United 
States; and
     Individuals engaged in military-related travel or 
operations.
    The following travel does not fall within the definition of 
``essential travel'' for purposes of this Notification--
     Individuals traveling for tourism purposes (e.g., 
sightseeing, recreation, gambling, or attending cultural events).
    At this time, this Notification does not apply to air, freight 
rail, or sea travel between the United States and Canada, but does 
apply to passenger rail, passenger ferry travel, and pleasure boat 
travel between the United States and Canada. These restrictions are 
temporary in nature and shall remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. EDT on 
June 22, 2020. This Notification may be amended or rescinded prior to 
that time, based on circumstances associated with the specific threat.
    The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is 
hereby directed to prepare and distribute appropriate guidance to CBP 
personnel on the continued implementation of the temporary measures set 
forth in this Notification. The CBP Commissioner may determine that 
other forms of travel, such as travel in furtherance of economic 
stability or social order, constitute ``essential travel'' under this 
Notification. Further, the CBP Commissioner may, on an individualized 
basis and for humanitarian reasons or for other purposes in the 
national interest, permit the processing of travelers to the United 
States not engaged in ``essential travel.''
    The Acting Secretary of Homeland Security, Chad F. Wolf, having 
reviewed and approved this document, is delegating the authority to 
electronically sign this document to Chad R. Mizelle, who is the Senior 
Official Performing the Duties of the General Counsel for DHS, for 
purposes of publication in the Federal Register.

Chad R. Mizelle,
Senior Official Performing the Duties of the General Counsel, U.S. 
Department of Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. 2020-11145 Filed 5-20-20; 4:15 pm]
 BILLING CODE 9112-FP-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.