A Border Runs Through It: U.S. Tightens Grip on Unique Cross-Border Library
For over a century, the Haskell Free Library & Opera House has stood as a physical embodiment of the close, almost familial, relationship between the United States and Canada. Its unique location, straddling the international border between Derby Line, Vermont, and Stanstead, Quebec, has made it a beloved landmark and a symbol of cross-border cooperation. However, recent actions by U.S. Homeland Security officials are threatening to sever this connection, raising concerns about the future of this treasured institution and the broader implications for U.S.-Canada relations.
The library’s main entrance is situated in the U.S., but for decades, Canadians have enjoyed unfettered access via a side entrance that opens directly from Stanstead, allowing them to browse books, attend events, and connect with their American neighbors without having to pass through formal border controls. This arrangement has fostered a sense of community and shared identity, transcending the political boundary that separates the two countries.
However, the era of easy cross-border access to the library is coming to an end. U.S. Homeland Security officials have announced new restrictions that will significantly limit Canadian access to the library. Effective Monday, only library staff and individuals with disabilities will be permitted to enter through the Canadian side. This is reportedly a prelude to a complete closure of the Canadian entrance later this year.
The decision has been met with dismay and frustration by library officials and community members on both sides of the border. Sonia De Paoli, a library board member who resides in Canada, expressed her disappointment, stating that the new rules "take away the uniqueness" of the library. She emphasized that the establishment was founded on the principle of fostering a "wonderful friendly relationship" with their neighbors and that the new restrictions undermine this core purpose.
The library has long served as a hub for cross-border activities, hosting a diverse range of events, including art exhibitions, school excursions, and opera performances. Its collection includes books in both English and French, reflecting the bilingual nature of the region and the cultural exchange that has flourished within its walls.
U.S. federal officials justify the new security measures by claiming that the library has been exploited for illegal activities, citing a 2018 incident in which a Canadian man pleaded guilty to smuggling handguns into Canada by concealing them in library trash cans. While acknowledging the need to maintain border security, critics argue that closing off access to the library is a disproportionate response that punishes law-abiding citizens and undermines the spirit of cooperation that has characterized the U.S.-Canada relationship for so long.
The decision to restrict access to the library comes amid broader efforts by the U.S. government to tighten border security and restrict immigration. The Trump administration, in particular, pursued a policy of enhanced border enforcement, including the implementation of travel bans targeting individuals from several countries. During the initial iteration of these bans, the Haskell Library became a place of refuge and reunion for families separated by the new restrictions.
Prior to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, residents of the conjoined towns of Derby Line and Stanstead enjoyed relatively unrestricted movement across the border. However, in the wake of the attacks, President George W. Bush ordered stricter separation between the two countries as part of a broader effort to bolster national security. Despite these changes, the Haskell Library remained exempt from the new regulations, although U.S. Border Patrol agents maintained a close watch on those entering and exiting the library through the Canadian entrance.
The heightened scrutiny of the library appears to stem from a visit by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem earlier this year. According to reports, Noem engaged in provocative behavior during her visit, repeatedly stepping across the line on the floor that marks the border between the United States and Canada. She referred to Canada as "the 51st state," echoing President Donald Trump’s suggestions that Canada should be incorporated into the U.S.
Following her visit, Noem posted on social media that she and Trump are committed to securing "ALL of our borders." This statement suggests that the decision to restrict access to the Haskell Library is part of a broader effort to assert U.S. sovereignty and control over its borders, regardless of the impact on long-standing relationships with neighboring countries.
Trump’s rhetoric and policies toward Canada have strained relations between the two countries. His on-again, off-again tariff threats have angered Canadians, leading to widespread boycotts of American-made goods and a decline in cross-border tourism. The decision to restrict access to the Haskell Library is likely to further exacerbate these tensions, reinforcing the perception that the U.S. is turning its back on its closest ally.
The fate of the Haskell Free Library & Opera House remains uncertain. While library officials are exploring alternative solutions, such as creating a separate entrance for Canadian visitors that would comply with U.S. border regulations, the future of this unique institution hangs in the balance. The closure of the Canadian entrance would not only deprive Canadians of a cherished community resource but also symbolize a broader shift in the relationship between the United States and Canada, a relationship that has long been characterized by openness, cooperation, and mutual respect. The library, once a beacon of cross-border harmony, now stands as a stark reminder of the growing divisions and anxieties that are shaping the world today. Its story is a microcosm of the larger challenges facing international relations in an era of heightened nationalism and border security.
