Trump Administration Restricts Canadian Access to Haskell Free Library and Opera House
On Friday, the Trump administration declared a significant shift in policy by announcing restrictions on Canadian access to the Haskell Free Library and Opera House, nestled between Derby Line, Vermont, and Stanstead, Quebec. This charming library, which has long been a symbol of friendly cross-border interaction, will impose new regulations starting October 1, 2025.
Under the new rules, Canadians will no longer be able to stroll directly into the library from their side of the border. Until the cutoff date, Canadian members can still enter by presenting their library cards, but thereafter, formal border crossings will be mandatory. This pivot comes under the auspices of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which cites a need for heightened security along the northern border.
Historically, this library has been a haven for casual crossings, but a series of incidents, notably a 2018 episode involving a Canadian smuggling firearms through the restroom, have prompted this reevaluation of policy. “Given the library’s location and the convenience for local residents, CBP has permitted access without inspection for decades,” ICE remarked in its announcement. “However, the rise in illicit cross-border activities has necessitated a reassessment of this practice.”
The Associated Press reports:
Local officials have indicated that Canadians lacking a library card will now have to navigate a back entrance on the Canadian side, across what can only be described as a muddy stretch of grass. In response to the anticipated infrastructural challenges, the library has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to raise approximately CAD 100,000 (USD 69,000) to construct a proper sidewalk, a new parking area, and wheelchair accessibility.
Stanstead’s Mayor Jody Stone expressed his bewilderment at the U.S. decision, stating, “It makes no sense.” Nevertheless, he reassured the community that this move would not undermine the strong connections between the two towns, which enjoy shared municipal services and amenities.
The report further noted that in February, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited the library, where she humorously echoed Trump’s jest about making Canada the 51st state while stepping back and forth across the border line.
