Recent talks between officials in the US and Canada focused on the border security agreement, which aims to make the border more secure and protect the vital trade relationship between the two countries. Most of the proposed measures -- which include screening passengers and goods at the point of departure rather than at the border, technological improvements at the six busiest crossing points, sharing intelligence and information about air passengers, and the placement of U.S. Customs officials in Canada - will undergo further negotiations before being finalized. However, one measure will go into effect immediately. This is the resumption of the Nexus pilot program at the Sarnia, Ontario - Port Huron, Michigan port of entry of a computerized program that allows preapproved travelers to cross the border quickly. The program was temporarily suspended after September 11th.

This information comes from Siskind's Immigration Bulletin, a very thorough report on the latest in immigration news. Check out the full newsletter at www.visalaw.com. To download the newsletter in pdf format go to www.visalaw.com/01dec2/newsletter.pdf.

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I The latest ACA News Report (ACA's printed newsletter) has just come out. Some of the features in this issue include two ACA Position Papers (Representation for Americans Abroad and Taxes and Americans Overseas), Tax Tips from Jane Bruno, a Washington Update, and information about what ACA is and the people behind it. If you are interested in receiving a copy of the News Report, please contact ACA to become a member.

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The Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the US General Consulate in Hamburg, Germany took place on December 5 and represents a long-standing tradition of friendship. The consulate celebrated its 200th anniversary on July 4, 1999 and has occupied what is locally known as The Little White House on a lakeside in the center of town for the last 50 years. Following World War II one special symbol of friendship is the enormous Christmas tree on its balcony, the first in the city to have colored lights. The events of Sept. 11 saw an unprecedented outpouring of sympathy including a huge spontaneous memorial of flowers, messages, and gifts laid before the gates of the consulate. At the reception following the tree lighting ceremony there were five tables set up displaying the thousands of letters, hundreds of pictures and posters drawn by school children, the many gifts including teddy bears and Lego reproductions of the World Trade Center, oversized checks representing donations to the victims' families, and volumes of condolence books signed by citizens from the entire north German area. The consulate staff recalled how they went out each evening to collect items that could be saved and often hung them up in the heating room to dry. It has not yet been decided if a permanent display of these items will be set up in Hamburg or sent on to Washington.

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