Trump Administration Limits Canadian Access to Haskell Free Library Amid Border Security Crackdown
The Trump administration announced Friday that Canadian visitors will no longer be able to freely enter the historic Haskell Free Library and Opera House, which straddles the border between Derby Line, Vermont, and Stanstead, Quebec.
Starting October 1, 2025, Canadians must use a formal border crossing to access the library, ending decades of casual, unchecked crossings.
Border Security Concerns Drive Policy Change
The decision, made by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), aims to tighten security along the northern border, following concerns over illicit cross-border activity.
The Haskell Library is one of the few places in the world where a national border runs through a building, with a tape line marking the U.S.-Canada divide inside.
Previously, Canadians could enter the building from their side without going through customs. However, that privilege will end, requiring all visitors to undergo standard U.S. entry procedures.
“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,” a CBP statement explained.
“However, during that time, this area has witnessed a continued rise in illicit cross-border activity.”
Security Loopholes and Past Incidents
The decision comes after multiple security breaches at the library, including a 2018 smuggling case where a Canadian citizen admitted to smuggling handguns across the border through the library’s bathroom.
With border security already a hot-button issue, the Trump administration is extending its tough-on-immigration approach to the northern border as well.
Library Officials and Canadian Leaders React
The new restrictions have frustrated local officials on both sides of the border, who argue that the library has historically served as a symbol of U.S.-Canada friendship.
- Stanstead Mayor Jody Stone criticized the move, calling it “nonsensical.” However, he reassured residents that the policy change “would not affect the close bond” between the two communities.
- The library board has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise $100,000 CAD ($69,000 USD) to construct a new sidewalk, parking lot, and wheelchair-accessible entrance on the Canadian side.
“Canadian visitors without a library card will have to enter by a back door on the Canadian side, across a muddy stretch of grass,” the Associated Press reported.
Kristi Noem Jokes About “Annexing” Canada During Border Visit
Adding to the controversy, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited the Haskell Free Library in February and made lighthearted remarks about absorbing Canada into the United States.
“She stepped back and forth across the line that marks the border and repeated Trump’s taunts about making Canada the 51st state,” the AP reported.
The comment sparked outrage among Canadian officials, though many Vermonters found humor in the situation.
What’s Next?
- October 1, 2025: The new border policy takes effect, requiring all Canadians to use a formal U.S. border crossing to access the library.
- Library renovations: Officials in Stanstead plan to build an alternate entrance on the Canadian side, pending fundraising efforts.
- Potential diplomatic tensions: While the move is being framed as a security measure, it could further strain U.S.-Canada relations, especially as President Trump continues pushing economic and border security policies that impact both countries.
As Trump’s second term unfolds, the northern border is receiving increased scrutiny, signaling that his administration’s America First policies extend well beyond the southern border.
