U.S. Border Checkpoints Spark Alarm as Canadian Visits Plummet

Increased U.S. border patrol activity near British Columbia crossings has raised alarm among travelers and local officials, as added vehicle inspections at checkpoints are contributing to lengthy delays and potentially discouraging Canadians from visiting the United States.

Unusual scenes have unfolded in recent days at key crossing points like Peace Arch and Pacific Highway, where U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers have begun inspecting vehicles heading north—before travelers even reach Canadian customs. For some, this has added hours to what were previously routine crossings.

“They stopped and they asked us to open everything up,” said David Crosby, a U.S. resident who crossed into B.C. on Tuesday to CBC News. “They asked when I was coming back and what I’d be bringing. It felt like they were looking for smugglers.”

The checkpoints come at a time when Canadian traffic into the U.S. is already declining. According to border data, April saw a 51 percent drop in vehicles with British Columbia license plates entering the U.S. from southwestern B.C., compared to the same month last year. Many travelers cite President Donald Trump’s aggressive rhetoric, including tariff threats and remarks suggesting Canada should become America’s “51st state,” as key reasons for avoiding the U.S.

Blaine, Washington Mayor Mary Lou Steward told CBC News she witnessed the checkpoint process firsthand last weekend. “They were stopping every fourth car, checking trunks and backseats,” she said. “I didn’t see anyone arrested, but the process was clearly adding delays.”

Despite local officials seeking clarification, U.S. border authorities have offered little insight beyond a brief statement to CBC News, citing national security protocols. “U.S. Customs and Border Protection routinely conducts inspections on outbound traffic in order to apprehend wanted individuals and seize a variety of contraband,” the agency stated.

But some believe the move signals deeper political tension. U.S. immigration lawyer Len Saunders, who practices in Blaine, called the frequency of the checks unprecedented. “These types of inspections usually happen during emergencies—amber alerts, fugitive chases. But doing it every single day? I’ve never seen that before,” Saunders said.

Local business owners are also concerned. Duty-free shops and small businesses that rely heavily on Canadian foot traffic fear the extended wait times could further shrink their customer base. “Nobody is going to come down here if these delays continue,” Saunders warned.

With border towns like Blaine depending on sales tax from Canadian visitors to fund essential services, Mayor Steward voiced concern over the economic fallout. “This is going to impact how we are able to provide services to our people,” she said.

As cross-border travel continues to be entangled in larger political and security debates, officials on both sides of the border are left grappling with the economic and diplomatic consequences.

For more coverage on U.S.-Canada relations, visit weeklyvoice.com/category/canada.