Queen’s University security expert Christian Leuprecht is available to comment on the Canada-US border deal being announced today. He’s a researcher with Queen’s Institute of Intergovernmental Relations.

“The devil is in the details: It turns out that talking about the border is a lot easier than actually doing something about,” Dr. Leuprecht said. “People consistently underestimate just how difficult it is to find common ground on matters so complex as information sharing and overcoming legislative constraints such as different privacy regulations.  In effect, a comprehensive deal would mean harmonizing, visa and refugee policies, passing legislation to enable authorities from one country to enforce some law on the other country's sovereign territory, share information on everything from people exiting the continent to overstays and deportees, and realize that the Mexican border now effectively becomes Canada's southern land border.”

To arrange an interview, please contact communication officers Anne Craig at 613-533-2877 or anne.craig@queensu.ca or Michael Onesi at 613.533.6000 ext. 77513 or michael.onesi@queensu.at Queen’s University News and Media Services Department in Kingston, Ont., Canada.

Follow Queen’s News and Media Services on Twitter: http://twitter.com/QueensuMedia.

Attention broadcasters: Queen’s has facilities to provide broadcast quality audio and video feeds. For television interviews, we can provide a live, real-time double ender from Kingston via fibre optic cable. Please call for details.