US erects cable barrier at Canadian border crossings

US Border Patrol Blaine Sector Headquarters said in a statement that the project is being carried out to address "bi-national safety concerns" from Zero Avenue in BC and Boundary Road in Lynden, Wash. extending from Surrey to Abbotsford.

The border between Canada and the US has been closed since March to travel that is non-essential. The restrictions are still in place as they have been renewed every month since.

"This safety cable barrier not only protects people in the United States and Canada, but it also aids in securing this portion of the border by deterring illegal vehicle entries in both directions," said Tony Holladay, an Acting Chief Patrol Agent.

"Locally in our community, trans-national criminal organizations have capitalized on this vulnerable area by smuggling both narcotics and people. The enhancement to this specific border area mitigates the threat posed by these dangerous criminal enterprises."

According to the Canada Border Services Agency, a higher number of Americans have been attempting to enter Canada through separate ports of entry. Recent figures show that Canada has turned away 12,819 US citizens from March 22 to August 5.

John Horgan, the BC Premier warned of the "Alaska loophole" in which Americans said they were traveling through Canada to Alaska at the border but proceeded to make stops throughout BC. Border crossing rules have since been tightened up by the CBSA for people with non-discretionary travel purposes.

Since July 31, foreign nationals entering Canada have been required to pass through one of five CBSA ports of entry.

Those points include:

• Abbotsford-Huntingdon (BC)
• Kingsgate (BC)
• Coutts (Alberta)
• North Portal (Saskatchewan)
• Osoyoos (BC)

Travellers are also required to go on the most direct route to their destination, avoiding recreational sites and reporting the date they exit Canada. They must also place a "hang tag" on their rear view mirror while traveling through the country.