Local News
Vancouver residents concerned over border crossing horror stories
There are renewed travel concerns in Vancouver after a series of horror stories of Canadians and tourists being thrown into immigration detention centres.
Last month, Canadian resident Jasmine Mooney was released by U.S. immigration authorities after being detained for almost two weeks while applying for a work visa at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Blaine, Wash.-based lawyer Len Saunders says these stories and rising tensions from the tariff war have many Canadians avoiding trips to the U.S.
“It’s almost become the perfect storm that very few Canadians want to come to the United States, and then they hear about people being taken into custody,” said Saunders.
A recent article posted by The Guardian mentions a Romanian tourist, named Bana, who was allegedly detained after straying into U.S. territory from Peace Arch Park. Bana reportedly visited the park to take selfies with her husband when a U.S. border official confronted her. When Bana was found to not have the proper visa, she was taken into custody.
Users on social media expressed their shock and concern over Bana’s experience. One user on the r/Vancouver page on Reddit changing their summer plans after the news.
“I was planning a trip to LA this summer. Been wanting to go since before COVID,” said the user. “Not anymore.”
Saunders says there has been increased enforcement on the U.S. side of the park. He says there are multiple signs that inform visitors not to come into the park unless they have identification.
While Saunders admits a story such as Bana’s could happen, he suspects there’s more to the story.
“I’ve never seen someone just randomly arrested while they’re on the grass on either side. But if you ventured too far into the parking lot or into Canada on the Canadian side or vice versa…expect to be arrested.”
Global Affairs Canada updated their travel advisory this week, urging Canadians crossing the U.S. border to be forthcoming with officials in that country and to expect scrutiny that could extend to searches of electronic devices.
Saunders says he never thought he would see the extent of travel advisories the world has now.
“For me, it’s almost surreal,” said Saunders. “It’s pretty ironic all of these countries all over the world that they’re issuing travel advisories because their citizens are now being detained and deported from the United States.”
If you are worried about applying for a visa at the border, Saunders recommends Canadians visit their local airport pre-flight clearance facility.
