Regional chambers say that the practice of "expedited removal" hurts cross-border business

For Canadian residents wanting to visit the U.S., the threat of “expedited removal” – an on-the-spot decision by a border agent to ban someone from the U.S. for five years or more – is a major deterrent to doing business in America.

At least that’s the opinion expressed in a court brief filed in an appealed expedited removal case, and local business groups have expressed their agreement. The Bellingham Whatcom Chamber of Commerce and Industry joined several regional economic groups in challenging the U.S. government’s use of expedited removal.