Welcome to the Southwest Ontario Gateway Virtual Presence Post
The United States Mission in Canada is pleased to announce the launch of its fourth Virtual Presence Post (VPP). Our newest VPP for Southwest Ontario highlights the importance of this region to the United States and to U.S./Canada relations. Through this web site, we hope to build upon the region’s existing relationship and forge an even stronger partnership. The U.S. Mission had a Consulate in Windsor, Ontario from 1864 to 1970 and in Port Sarnia/Sarnia from 1864 to1933 and again from 1940 to 1948. We view this new VPP as a 21st century diplomatic tool that will allow us to strengthen our connections to this region.

Click on the graphic above to get the latest information from the U.S. government.

Ambassador Jacobson Addresses Disaster in Haiti.

HAITI EARTHQUAKE – INFORMATION FOR AMERICANS

USCIS Launches Immigration Inquiry Mailbox for Canadians
WASHINGTON— U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced the creation of a general inquiry mailbox for customers in Canada. Currently Canadians cannot access the National Customer Service Center through the 1-800 number to ask about general immigration questions. Canadian customers may now inquire about general immigration information at USCIS.Canada@dhs.gov in addition to obtaining immigration information at www.uscis.gov.

The creation of this mailbox signifies a major step in USCIS’ outreach to Canadians since the dissolution of the Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) Ottawa office in 2003. ¬For more information on USCIS and its programs, visit www.uscis.gov.

7 January 2010
Remarks by the President on Strengthening Intelligence and Aviation Security
In our ever-changing world, America's first line of defense is timely, accurate intelligence that is shared, integrated, analyzed, and acted upon quickly and effectively. That's what the intelligence reforms after the 9/11 attacks largely achieved. That's what our intelligence community does every day. But, unfortunately, that's not what happened in the lead-up to Christmas Day. It's now clear that shortcomings occurred in three broad and compounding ways. [Transcript] [Review Summary]  [Briefing].

11 December 09
Statement by President Obama on Hanukkah
[Hebrew translation]

NASA Plays audio "Time Capsule" of historic Apollo 11 Mission - July 16-24
HOUSTON -- NASA will provide a unique audio "time capsule" in observance of the 40th anniversary of the first human landing on the moon. Audio from the entire Apollo 11 mission will be replayed and streamed on the Internet at exactly the same time and date it was broadcast in 1969.

The audio retrospective will begin at 6:32 a.m. CDT Thursday, July 16, two hours before the spacecraft launched. The audio will continue through splashdown of the mission at 11:51 a.m. CDT Friday, July 24, and recovery of the crew shortly afterward. The Web stream will feature the communications between the astronauts and ground teams, and commentary from Mission Control at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

To listen to the replay, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/

For historical information about Apollo 11, visit:
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/

NASA's Apollo 40th anniversary Web site:
http://www.nasa.gov/apollo40th

Where were you on July 20, 1969? How did this momentous event impact your life? Record your comments and impressions here!

President Obama's 4th of July Message
Today, we are called upon to remember not only the day our country was born, but also the indomitable spirit of the first American citizens who made that day possible. We are called to remember how unlikely it was that our American experiment would succeed at all; that a small band of patriots would declare independence from a powerful empire; and that they would form, in the new world, what the old world had never known - a government of, by, and for the people. [more]

13 June 09
Remarks at the 100th Anniversary of the Boundary Waters Treaty - Hillary Rodham Clinton Secretary of State
Good morning. What a glorious day, and it’s an absolute delight for me to be here on this occasion. I take any excuse I can to get back to come back to New York, and to celebrate this commemoration with all of you and to have an opportunity to spend time with my Canadian counterpart, Minister Cannon, is indeed a privilege. I just want to recognize the significance of this extraordinary moment in time. The friendship between the people of the United States and Canada is the strongest in the world. There is no border that is longer and more peaceful; there is no greater trade between two nations. There are so many values that we share in common, and today we celebrate a treaty that helped to make this friendship possible 100 years ago. [more] [FlickR Photos].
Related: Press Conference - Remarks With Canadian Foreign Minister Cannon.

12 June 09
Secretary Clinton Travel to Canada
Boundary Waters Treaty Centennial Celebration Fact Sheet
On June 13, 2009, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will join Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon on the Rainbow Bridge connecting Niagara Falls, New York to Ontario, Canada to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Boundary Waters Treaty.

The Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 created the independent International Joint Commission (IJC) to prevent and resolve boundary waters disputes between Canada and the United States. The IJC makes decisions on applications for projects such as dams in boundary waters and regulates the operations of many of those projects. The IJC also has a permanent reference under the 1972 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement to help the two national governments restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of those waters. [more]

11 June 09
Secretary Clinton Travel to Canada
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will travel to Niagara Falls, New York, and Niagara Falls, Ontario, on Saturday, June 13, 2009, to participate in the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Canada-U.S. Boundary Waters Treaty. Secretary Clinton will meet with Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon following the centennial celebration. Secretary Clinton and Foreign Minister Cannon will then hold a joint press availability. [more]

04 June 09
A New Beginning - Engaging the Muslim World President Obama's June 4 Speech in Cairo, Egypt
I am honored to be in the timeless city of Cairo, and to be hosted by two remarkable institutions. For over a thousand years, Al-Azhar has stood as a beacon of Islamic learning, and for over a century, Cairo University has been a source of Egypt’s advancement. Together, you represent the harmony between tradition and progress. I am grateful for your hospitality, and the hospitality of the people of Egypt. I am also proud to carry with me the goodwill of the American people, and a greeting of peace from Muslim communities in my country: assalaamu alaykum. [more] [fact sheet]

6 May 09
C-TPAT Announces First Annual Northern Border Highway Carrier Conference in Buffalo, NY The registration for this event will begin in late May 2009 and this will serve as a preliminary announcement for all those highway carriers who may be interested in attending.

17-19 April 09
The Fifth Summit of the Americas was held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on April 17-19, 2009.
The theme of the Fifth Summit of the Americas, "Securing Our Citizens' Future by Promoting Human Prosperity, Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability" was developed in close consultation with member countries and partner institutions of the Summit Process.

Remarks by Secretary Clinton at Digital Town Hall of the Americas - View Video / Read Transcript

Obama Praises Constructive Talks at Summit of the Americas
Washington — President Obama said the United States entered the fifth Summit of the Americas in equal partnership with the nations of the Western Hemisphere based on mutual respect, common interests and shared values, and leaves after three days of constructive talks with what he called a good first step. [more]

[5th Summit website] [townhall.america.gov]

27 March 09
Summit of the Americas
Jeffrey Davidow, White House Advisor on the Summit of the Americas, was formerly U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela and Mexico. He discusses the U.S. agenda for the Fifth Summit of the Americas, to take place in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, April 17-19. [more].

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On June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or other travel document approved by the Department of Homeland Security.

Canadians: www.knowyourborder.gov
Americans: www.getyouhome.gov/

Effective June 1, 2008 all applicants for U.S. Passports and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad will be seen by appointment only. More details

Department of Homeland Security
Traveler Redress Inquiry Program
Travelers can now resolve possible watch list misidentification and travel screening problems with any of the department’s component agencies with DHS TRIP, an easy to use web site.


U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) jointly operate the NEXUS trusted traveler program. To learn more about NEXUS, enroll in the program online or renew an expiring NEXUS card, click here.

< Border Wait Times >


The Official Travel & Tourism Website of the United States, Discover America is the best online resource for planning a vacation to the United States.

EducationUSA centers actively promote United States higher education around the world by offering accurate, comprehensive, objective and timely information about educational opportunities in the United States and guidance to qualified individuals on how best to access those opportunities.

The Canada - U.S. Fulbright Program is a bi-national educational exchange program supported by the Governments of the United States and Canada. [for more information].

2009 marks the Centennial of the Boundary Waters Treaty: The links provides information on all activities that mark the Boundary Waters Treaty Centennial this year, as well as details on the major event being organized to celebrate the anniversary in the Niagara Falls Region.

Security Notice to all Consular Visitors.

Are you an American citizen travelling or residing in Canada? Please register
Employment and Student Internship Opportunities at the U.S. Consulate Toronto


Travel Alert - Worldwide Caution
This Worldwide Caution updates information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against Americans and interests throughout the world. American citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. [Full text.]

The Global Financial System: Six Experts Look at the Crisis. An eJournal from the Department of State, May 2009.
Experts describe the mechanics of the global financial system presenting their views concerning the cyclical nature of markets, the interdependence of global trade relationships, and the role of regulation.
Click here for earlier editions of eJournal.

E-ALERTS is a public awareness service that provides key information on U.S. foreign and domestic public policies, topics include Canada-U.S. Relations, Environment, Trade, U.S. Politics and Global Issues. You will automatically receive, via e-mail, links to selected documents and publications from official U.S. Government sources and other reputable non-governmental organizations. Subscribe.