On June 5, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano announced the release of the new DHS Northern Border Strategy (NBS) (PDF). While citing the geographic fact that “the U.S.-Canadian border is the world’s longest common border,” the Secretary went on to say that, “With communities and businesses that reach both sides of the border, the economies and security of the United States and Canada are inextricably linked. The Northern Border Strategy provides a unifying framework for the Department’s work focused on enhancing the security and resiliency along our northern border while expediting legitimate travel with Canada.”

The Department’s press release on the release of the NBS also noted that this “is the first Department-wide strategy to guide policy and operations at the Northern border.”

The NBS identifies three key goals for the Northern border: deterring and preventing terrorism and smuggling, trafficking, and illegal immigration; safeguarding and encouraging the efficient flow of lawful trade, travel and immigration; and nsuring community resiliency before, during and after terrorist attacks and other disasters.