Border Crossing Archives - Northwest Public Broadcasting

Ongoing Border Closure Makes Washington Enclave Of Point Roberts ‘Stir Crazy’

By Tom Banse May 21, 2021

A common sign hanging outside businesses in Point Roberts that yearn to have Canadian visitors back.

The United States and Canadian governments confirmed Thursday that pandemic border crossing restrictions will continue for at least another month to June 21. This is the fourteenth month-by-month extension of the closure of the northern border to nonessential crossings. The lengthy closure has been especially wearing on Point Roberts, a community in northwestern Washington Read More

Couples And Families Separated By U.S.-Canada Border Closure Find Oasis At Peace Arch Park

By Tom Banse March 16, 2021

Crossing the border into Peace Arch State Park from Canada, at left, entails stepping across a ditch. CREDIT: Tom Banse/N3

This coming Sunday, March 21, will mark one year since the U.S. and Canada closed their shared border to nonessential crossings due to the pandemic. It's anybody's guess when the border might reopen for discretionary trips. In the meantime, every weekend rain or shine, Peace Arch State Park in Blaine, Washington, becomes a happening meetup point for couples and families Read More

U.S.-Canada Border Closure Likely To Be ‘With Us For Awhile’ As Pandemic Persists

By Tom Banse November 17, 2020

Peace Arch Park reportedly is the scene of lots of weddings this summer featuring Canadian-American couples seeking to ease their border crossing status.

The most recent extension of the U.S.-Canada border closure expires this Friday, November 21, but no one expects the restrictions to be lifted then. First implemented in March, the closure of the land and sea border to nonessential crossings have been extended monthly by mutual agreement between Ottawa and the Trump administration.Read More

U.S. Borders With Canada And Mexico Will Remain Closed At Least Another Month

By NPR News October 19, 2020

Bill Blair, Canada's public safety minister, tweeted on Monday, "We are extending non-essential travel restrictions with the United States until November 21st, 2020. Our decisions will continue to be based on the best public health advice available to keep Canadians safe."Read More

Ferry Service Boosted To Washington Town Of Point Roberts, Cut Off By U.S.-Canada Border Closure

By Tom Banse September 3, 2020

Point Roberts , Washington, on the southern tip British Columbia is stuck between a rock and a border closure during the pandemic. CREDIT: Esmy Jimenez/KUOW. Created with DataMapper

The Port of Bellingham is increasing temporary ferry service to the isolated enclave of Point Roberts, Washington. That community was largely cut off from the U.S. mainland when Canada and the U.S. closed their land border this spring to nonessential crossings to control the spread of the coronavirus.Read More

U.S. – Canada Border Restrictions Extended, Forcing Big Changes To Lives In Washington And B.C.

By Tom Banse August 19, 2020

The months-long closure of the U.S.-Canada border to non-essential crossings has been extended again. The border crossing restrictions will last at least until late September, probably longer, due to the pandemic. The outlook is leading people who used to cross regularly to make major life changes.Read More

Ongoing Border Closure Makes Washington Enclave Of Point Roberts ‘Stir Crazy’

Couples And Families Separated By U.S.-Canada Border Closure Find Oasis At Peace Arch Park

U.S.-Canada Border Closure Likely To Be ‘With Us For Awhile’ As Pandemic Persists

U.S. Borders With Canada And Mexico Will Remain Closed At Least Another Month

Ferry Service Boosted To Washington Town Of Point Roberts, Cut Off By U.S.-Canada Border Closure

U.S. – Canada Border Restrictions Extended, Forcing Big Changes To Lives In Washington And B.C.

Americans, Go Home: Canadians Track U.S. Boaters Sneaking Across The Border Around Vancouver

Coronavirus Closed The Border. This Bellingham – BC Couple Was Stuck On Opposite Sides

U.S. And Canada Agree To Keep Border Partly Closed For Another 30 Days

U.S. – Canada Border Restrictions Extended Another 30 Days

FACT CHECK: President Trump Wrongly States Obama Administration Had Child Separation Policy

Kirstjen Nielsen Leaving Homeland Security Post As Border Crossings Surge

Customs And Border Protection Plans To Decrease Hours For Northeastern Washington Crossing