Canadian authorities have complained that the US government is making it difficult for Canadians to access Stanstead, Quebec library that stands over the US-Canada border in its latest crackdown on migrants. Stanstead mayor Jody Stone said the latest action of restricting Canadians from the library undermines the century-old agreement that allows both Americans and Canadians to use the library.
The US-Canada border runs across the floor of the library but its entrance is on the American side. The back door is on the Canadian side and those who do not have a library card will have to use the back door now.
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said the divide is about to become more pronounced in the coming days as only library card holders and employees will be allowed to cross over from Canada to enter through the main gate on the US side. The CBP said apart from law enforcement, emergency services, mail delivery, official workers and those with disabilities, no Canadians will be able to enter the library via the US gate without going through the border checkpoint.
“Due to the library’s location, and convenience of local populations, CBP has allowed customers of the library to access its sidewalk, without inspection, for decades,” the agency said in a statement. “However, during that time, this area has witnessed a continued rise in illicit cross-border activity.”
The library authorities said they are launching a fundraiser to build a new parking lot, wheelchair access on the backside.
According to the library’s website, Canadian visitors had been allowed to enter the library by the main entrance on the US side. While passports or visas were not necessary, library officials had warned that US Border Patrol and RCMP would monitor movements and could request to see identification.
The library crackdown comes as the US and Canada are locked in a bitter tariff war with President Donald Trump determined to swallow Canada and make it the 51st state of the US.
