US Limits Canadian Border Library Access
- STANSTEAD, Quebec (AP) — For more than 100 years, people in stanstead, Quebec, have been able to walk toward Derby Line, Vermont, to enter the free library and...
- authorities have unilaterally ended the unwritten agreement.
- Inside the library, Pauline Lussier and Chris Blais met on either side of the line on the ground that marks the border.
U.S. Limits Canadian Access to Border-Straddling Library
Table of Contents
- U.S. Limits Canadian Access to Border-Straddling Library
- Q&A: U.S. Limits Canadian Access to Border-Straddling haskell Free Library
- What is the Haskell Free Library and Opera House?
- Why is U.S. Access to the library being restricted for Canadians?
- What are the new restrictions for Canadians accessing the Haskell Free Library?
- How has the community reacted to these changes?
- Has this change affected the library’s operations?
- Has this happened before?
- How does this change align with previous stances?
- Where can Canadians go if they want to go into the US?
- What will happen with existing municipal services?
- Key Changes at the Haskell free Library
STANSTEAD, Quebec (AP) — For more than 100 years, people in stanstead, Quebec, have been able to walk toward Derby Line, Vermont, to enter the free library and Opera haskell—which is located on both sides of the border—without a passport.
However, municipal and library officials saeid that U.S. authorities have unilaterally ended the unwritten agreement. The decision is causing concern in the communities on both sides of the border, which in some places is marked with flower pots.
Inside the library, Pauline Lussier and Chris Blais met on either side of the line on the ground that marks the border. Lussier, a Canadian, and Blais, an American, met for the frist time.
A line dose not seperate us; it has never done so.
Chris Blais, american resident
Our children have gone back and forth across this border without any problem… all this will change now, and there is no reason for it.
Chris Blais, American resident
Inside the library, Canadian and American citizens have been able to mix freely across the border line drawn on the ground, as long as they return to their respective country afterward. In 2016, then-U.S. President Barack obama stressed the symbolic importance of the library, built in 1901.
We are two different countries, but we are like a large town.
resident of a border town
A spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed that the division is becoming more pronounced.Only library card holders and employees can cross from canada to enter the building through the main door on the U.S. side.
As of Oct. 1, no Canadian can enter the library through the United States without going through the border control post, although there will be exceptions for police forces, emergency services, mail delivery, official workers, and people with disabilities.
The CBP stated that the library was a unique milestone,
but the border agency is implementing a new approach for security reasons.
Due to the location of the library, and for comfort of local populations, the CBP has allowed library customers to access their sidewalk, without inspection, for decades. However, during that time, this area has witnessed a continuous increase in cross-border illegal activity.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
The CBP pointed out that there have been several incidents in and around the library that resulted in arrests in recent years, including a person who tried to smuggle firearms last year.
city and library officials say that Canadian visitors without a library card will have to enter through a rear door on the Canadian side. The library announced it was launching a request on GoFundMe to raise $100,000 Canadian (U.S. $69,000) to build a sidewalk, a new parking lot, and access for wheelchairs.
The mayor of Stanstead, Jody Stone, said that the United states’ decision makes no sense.
However,he indicated that the decision will not affect the link between communities,which share municipal services and facilities.
Nonetheless of what this government does, the fact that Stanstead and Derby Line are partners and friends forever will change.
Jody Stone, Mayor of Stanstead
Several residents met at the border to voice their concerns. Penny Thomas stopped on the American side, holding a poster that said: Keep Haskell open.
In February, it was reported that the United States National Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited the library and repeated a comment about making Canada’s state 51 while crossing the line that marks the border from one side.
According to the library website, Canadian visitors had been allowed to enter the library through the main entrance on the U.S. side. Although passports or visas were not necessary,library officials warned that U.S. border patrol and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police would monitor movements and could request identification.
Q&A: U.S. Limits Canadian Access to Border-Straddling haskell Free Library
What is the Haskell Free Library and Opera House?
the Haskell Free Library and Opera House is a unique building that straddles the border between the United States and Canada. Located in Stanstead, Quebec, and Derby Line, Vermont, the library has served both communities for over a century. The building’s design allows access from both countries, fostering a sense of community for the residents.
Why is U.S. Access to the library being restricted for Canadians?
U.S. authorities have unilaterally ended the unwritten agreement that allowed canadians to freely access the library through the U.S. side. According to a spokesman for U.S.Customs and Border Protection (CBP), this change is due to concerns about increased cross-border illegal activity in the area. The CBP stated that there have been several incidents in and around the library that resulted in arrests in recent years, including a person who tried to smuggle firearms last year.
What are the new restrictions for Canadians accessing the Haskell Free Library?
As of October 1st, Canadians face new restrictions:
Main Entrance: Canadians without a library card will no longer be able to enter the library through the main entrance on the U.S. side without going through a border control post.
Exceptions: Exceptions will be made for police forces, emergency services, mail delivery, official workers, and peopel with disabilities.
* Option Access: Canadian visitors without a library card will have to enter through a rear door on the Canadian side.
How has the community reacted to these changes?
The decision has caused concern and disappointment in the communities on both sides of the border.Manny residents are worried about the impact on the close relationship between Stanstead, Quebec, and Derby Line, Vermont.Some residents voiced their concerns at the border.
Has this change affected the library’s operations?
the library is adapting to the new restrictions. It has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for a new sidewalk, parking lot, and wheelchair access, likely to accommodate changes in entry points.
Has this happened before?
Previously, for over 100 years, people in Stanstead, Quebec, have been able to walk into Derby Line, Vermont to enter the border-straddling haskell Free Library and Opera House without a passport.
How does this change align with previous stances?
In 2016, then-U.S. President Barack Obama stressed the symbolic importance of the library, built in 1901.
Where can Canadians go if they want to go into the US?
The primary point of entry is being shifted to the rear door on the Canadian side. This will limit US access via the main door on the US side.
What will happen with existing municipal services?
The mayor of Stanstead, Jody Stone, indicated that the decision would not affect the link between communities, which share municipal services and facilities.
Key Changes at the Haskell free Library
| Feature | Before Restrictions | After Restrictions |
| :———————– | :———————————————————— | :———————————————————————————- |
| Canadian Access from U.S. | Unrestricted; no passport/visa required for entry | Limited to library card holders and employees via the main door on the U.S. side. |
| Border Crossing | Free movement across the border inside the library | Canadians without a US access pass will have to use the service entrance on the Canadian side |
| Justification | Unwritten agreement for community access | Security concerns and increased cross-border illegal activity |