Published 11 months ago • loading... • Updated 11 months ago

U.S. Expands 'Outbound' Checks at B.C. Border Crossings East Into the Fraser Valley

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers have increased northbound vehicle stops at Aldergrove, Abbotsford, Surrey Peace Arch, and truck crossings into British Columbia since early 2025.
These expanded 'outbound checkpoints' began regularly around the time port director Harmit Gill was reassigned and replaced by Bonnie Arellano from a U.S.-Mexico border crossing.
The checkpoints cause travel delays due to time-consuming vehicle searches before Canadian border inspection, prompting concerns from local officials about their unusual timing and lack of official explanation.
In early searches, CBP officers seized minor narcotics and about 300 rounds of 9 mm and nearly 40 rounds of 12-gauge ammunition, while some travelers experienced waits up to two hours.
The increased stops correlate with a 35 percent drop in traffic volumes at Aldergrove/Lynden and Sumas crossings and have caused backlogs southbound; however, CBP has not provided an official reason.

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