National security and the labor required for sustained economic growth are therefore linked in the minds of officials contemplating what shape the NASP takes. In fact, the tenuousness of that interdependence became clear when an ill-conceived state of heightened scrutiny at the borders between the U.S., cannada, and mexico in the wake of the terrorist attack precipitated an unintended economic crisis to all three north american economies. "In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the united states, north america's borders have been battend down and toughened up as officals try to keep out terrorists and prevent future attacks, " anthony depalma reported as the border economies of north america encountered an economic meltdown. "Passports still are not required, but a comprehensive combination of heightened surveillance, intensified scrutiny, and a general wariness on the part of border officials in all three countries means that traveling to america's nearest neighbors now.