US authorities announced on Friday that they are restricting Canadian access to a library that straddles the Canada-US border, a decision that has drawn criticism from residents of a Quebec town who have long enjoyed free entry to the space.
The Haskell Free Library and Opera House, which sits between Stanstead, Quebec, and Derby Line, Vermont, has long been a symbol of cross-border unity and a meeting place for separated families. While the building’s entrance is on the Vermont side, Canadian visitors were previously able to enter using the sidewalk and the American entrance, provided they carried documentation, according to the library’s website.
Under the new rules, Canadians will now be required to go through a formal border crossing before entering. Until October 1, library members may continue using the sidewalk with proof of membership, a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) spokesperson said. After that date, all Canadian visitors will need to enter through an official crossing, with exceptions made for school visits and individuals with disabilities.
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In response, the town of Stanstead issued a press release on Thursday stating, “This closure not only compromises Canadian visitors’ access to a historic symbol of cooperation and harmony between the two countries but also weakens the spirit of cross-border collaboration that defines this iconic location.”
Relations between the United States and Canada, traditionally strong allies, have become strained in recent years. Tensions escalated after US President Donald Trump threatened to annex Canada as the 51st state and imposed tariffs.
CBP officials justified the new restrictions by citing security concerns, stating that the area has experienced a “continued rise in illicit cross-border activity.” However, CBP did not specify the nature of the activity. Data from the agency suggests that border apprehensions near the library have actually declined, with 21 people detained so far in the 2025 fiscal year, compared to 147 apprehensions in all of fiscal year 2024.
In a statement to Reuters, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson attributed the decision to drug-related concerns. “Drug traffickers and smugglers were exploiting the fact that Canadians could use the US entrance without going through customs. We are ending such exploitation by criminals and protecting Americans,” the statement read. However, the department did not provide evidence of drug trafficking or smuggling in the area.
(Reuters)
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