New ROAM app simplifies travel in Akwesasne

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AKWESASNE – Expanded use of a ROAM app in the United States will simplify the reporting process for many travelers crossing national and provincial borders in Akwesasne.

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection said its Reporting Offsite Arrival-Mobile (ROAM) system allows non-Akwesasronon to report virtually rather than in person at the port of entry in Rooseveltown, NY when traveling from Kana:takon (St. Regis) to Tsi Snaihne (Snye) or near those areas, which are technically all in Quebec.

The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne (Canadian portion of Akwesasne) and the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe (US portion) have alerted the community to the recent change, which benefits visitors to Akwesasne and non-Akwesasne residents who work in the community. CBP has expanded the agency’s ROAM app to include the two districts in Akwesasne territory.

While Akwesasronon can move freely between the districts of Quebec and New York State without having to report to U.S. Customs, non-residents of Akwesasronon must report to the nearest port of entry upon arrival in New York from those districts.

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The example given was a non-Akwesasne employee who teaches at schools in Kana:takon and Tsi Snaihne who would have to stop at the Rooseveltown port of entry on his way home to Cornwall to report his arrival in New York State, even though he was only passing through. Now, these individuals can report using the new ROAM app instead.

Another example would be a Cornish resident attending a winter carnival in Tsi Snaihne. They would report to the border crossing at the south end of the Seaway International Bridge in Massena, but there is currently no way to report their re-entry into Canada when they arrive at the carnival. On the way home, that Cornish resident should travel from Tsi Snaihne to the border crossing at Rooseveltown, then return to Cornwall and report to the Canada Border Services Agency border crossing in Cornwall.

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For outsiders or even long-time residents of Cornwall/SDG, it can be difficult to understand Akwesasne’s boundaries. The requirement to stop at Rooseveltown is probably the most misunderstood rule of all – many travelers aren’t even aware of this requirement.

Since the CBSA port of entry was moved to Cornwall, the reporting requirement for those coming to Kawehno:ke from Akwesasne, south of the St. Lawrence River, involves a similar loop: those coming to the island from the south must report to the CBSA in Cornwall before returning to the island. The MCA has pushed for some sort of communications station on the island, but the CBSA has not yet implemented this idea.

According to CBP, the new reporting option offers more flexibility and convenience and saves travelers time by allowing them to check in from anywhere using a compatible device with a cellular data connection or Wi-Fi. The app is available for download at “CBP ROAM” for Apple/iOS and Android devices. Travelers can create a profile and submit their information for a CBP video conference while still in Canada. Information can be saved for future border crossings.

Travelers without access to the ROAM app can still report and check in at the nearest port of entry.

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