Jamie Radcliffe had just crossed through the Peace Arch border crossing when something unexpected happened. About a kilometer inside U.S. territory, Washington State Patrol officers flagged her down at what appeared to be a second checkpoint.
“I was completely caught off guard,” the Surrey resident told me during a phone interview yesterday. “I’ve been crossing at Peace Arch for twenty years and never seen anything like this. They were pulling over every single car.”
The secondary checkpoint, established without prior public notice last week, has left thousands of British Columbia residents bewildered and concerned about longer travel times into Washington State. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the measure represents an expansion of their “layered security approach” along the northern border.
Brian Hastings, Chief of the U.S. Border Patrol’s Blaine Sector, confirmed the new procedure in a statement released Tuesday. “These tactical checkpoints enhance our ability to intercept contraband and identify individuals who may pose security concerns,” Hastings noted. However, many regular crossers from B.C. view the additional screening as unnecessary friction in the historically fluid border relationship.
The B.C. Trucking Association reports that commercial drivers have experienced delays averaging 30-45 minutes beyond normal crossing times. “This has significant economic implications,” said Dave Earle, the association’s president. “For time-sensitive shipments, these unpredictable delays disrupt entire supply chains.”
Tourism operators in border communities are equally concerned. The Bellingham Chamber of Commerce estimates that Canadian visitors contribute approximately $140 million annually to Whatcom County’s economy. Russ Whidbee, who owns a small retail business near Bellingham’s Bellis Fair Mall, shared his perspective when I visited his shop on Wednesday.
“We depend on Canadian shoppers,” Whidbee explained while restocking shelves. “Even small deterrents like extra checkpoints might make folks reconsider whether the trip is worth the hassle. After everything we’ve been through with COVID border closures, this feels like another setback.”
Political reaction has been swift on both sides of the border. B.C. Premier David Eby expressed concern during an unrelated press conference in Victoria. “We understand security needs, but changes that affect thousands of British Columbians deserve proper communication and coordination,” Eby remarked.
Washington State Governor Jay Inslee’s office acknowledged receiving numerous inquiries about the checkpoints but deferred questions to federal authorities. U.S. Representative Suzan DelBene, whose district includes the border area, called for greater transparency. “Border communities thrive on predictability,” DelBene said in a statement provided to my office. “My team is seeking clarification on the duration and scope of these measures.”
Border policy experts note that secondary checkpoints have been deployed intermittently along the U.S.-Mexico border for decades, but their appearance along the northern border represents a significant shift. Laurie Trautman, director of Western Washington University’s Border Policy Research Institute, offered context when we spoke yesterday.
“The northern border has historically operated under different assumptions than the southern,” Trautman explained. “These checkpoints suggest a more uniform approach to border management, which doesn’t necessarily account for the distinct relationship between Canada and the U.S.”
Canadian border communities are particularly attuned to any changes in crossing procedures. White Rock city councillor Christopher Trevelyan voiced concerns about potential impacts on local residents. “Many people cross regularly for work, family visits, or even just to get their mail from U.S. post boxes,” he told me. “These additional checks create unnecessary complications for everyday life in our interconnected region.”
For regular commuters like Keith Dinwoodie, who lives in Surrey but works for a construction company in Bellingham, the checkpoint adds another layer of stress to daily travel. “I already
