Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham says he will try to persuade U.S. authorities that Canada's landed immigrants from Commonwealth countries should not need to carry a visa when travelling across the border.

"We would like to see what we could do to persuade the American authorities that this measure isn't necessary, but we recognize it is fundamentally a decision of American authorities," Mr. Graham told reporters in Ottawa on Monday.

Mr. Graham was responding to questions about a draft policy of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service that would require citizens from about 50 Commonwealth countries who live in Canada but who are not Canadian citizens to need a passport and a visa to enter the United States.

Citizenship and Immigration Minister Denis Coderre was more forceful on the issue Monday, saying it raises the possibility of racial profiling and saying that it "annoys" him.

The countries include India, Pakistan, South Africa, Jamaica and Trinidad. Citizens of the Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore would need only a passport.

Unlike a proposal last week to photograph and fingerprint Canadian citizens entering the United States who were born in Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Yemen — a requirement that U.S. Ambassador Paul Cellucci later assured Mr. Graham the United States would back down on — this covers people who are not yet Canadian citizens, Mr. Graham said.

"Our view is that in this case, obviously, it is not a question of the citizenship of persons who are Canadian citizens.

"Our position is to discuss with the U.S. how they want to treat people from other countries. These are people with permanent residency in Canada but who have yet to obtain Canadian citizenship."

In this case, it is up to the U.S. authorities to decide whether they want to require the carrying of both a visa and passport, Mr. Graham said.

He mentioned that Canada also requires citizens from some Commonwealth countries to have a visa when entering the country.

The Canadian government is prepared to argue against the proposal later this month at talks with the United States on the grounds that these landed immigrants have already passed security checks in Canada.

As well, Mr. Graham said he and Immigration Minister Denis Coderre will point out that landed immigrants living in Canada are contributing to the Canadian economy and would contribute to the U.S. economy as well by travelling across the border for business and other activities.

After Question Period, Mr. Coderre said he is committed to addressing the issue when he goes to the United States on Nov. 15 for talks.

Mr. Coderre said he does not understand the reasons for the proposed changes and said he is "slightly annoyed" by the issue.

The tougher border regulations are part of post Sept. 11 security regulations imposed by the United States, including what many say is more strict screening of passengers from certain countries.

Canadian writer Rohinton Mistry, who was born in India, has cancelled the rest of a U.S. book tour. Mr. Mistry said he could no longer bear being stopped and questioned constantly at security checkpoints in the United States.

NDP Leader Alexa McDonough questioned whether Mr. Graham was really committed to the issue of landed immigrant visas.

She said that the reason the Foreign Minister took action last week with Mr. Cellucci was because of pressure from Canadians. Since the visa requirements are for non-Canadian citizens, Ms. McDonough said Mr. Graham has a more relaxed attitude.

"When he doesn't feel the heat, he's prepared to be pretty casual."

Ms. McDonough asked Mr. Graham in the Commons whether he would table written evidence that the United States was no longer requiring special screening for Canadian passengers who were born in in Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Yemen.

Mr. Graham repeated that he had personal assurances from Mr. Cellucci that the restriction was no longer in place. The U.S. government has also issued a press release clarifying the matter, he said.