Immigration

DelBene, Jayapal Demand Public Apology, Report from CBP on January 2020 Iranian-American Detention Incident

| Posted in Press Releases

Today, Congresswomen Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) demanded a formal apology from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for the January 2020 detention and increased scrutiny of Iranian-Americans at the Peace Arch Border Crossing in Blaine in DelBene’s district. In a letter to Acting CBP Commissioner Troy Miller, the lawmakers also requested the publication of an…

The light at the end of the tunnel for our northern border communities

| Posted in eNewsletters

Dear friend, After 19 long months of pandemic restrictions along the Canada-U.S. border, our border towns and communities can start building back better. This week, the Biden administration announced that fully vaccinated Canadians will be able to travel to the United States by land and sea starting on November 8. The decision to reopen comes after I repeatedly called on the Trump and…

DelBene, Champion for Safely Reopening Northern Border, Welcomes Biden Administration’s Announcement

| Posted in Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) released the following statement on the announcement that the Biden administration will allow fully vaccinated Canadians to enter the United States by land and water travel starting in November: “For nineteen long months, our border communities have lived in a state of hardship and frustration, waiting month-to-month for news that the northern…

Bellingham Herald: Though U.S.-Canada border will reopen soon, area lawmakers insist work isn’t finished

| Posted in In the News

While many area lawmakers hailed news Tuesday, Oct. 12, that the U.S. plans to loosen its border restrictions and allow vaccinated Canadians to cross at land points of entry, they say their work to support communities most impacted by the 19-month-long closure to non-essential travel is not done. “For nineteen long months, our border communities have lived in a state of hardship and…

Bellingham Herald: Washington lawmakers ‘extremely frustrated’ by U.S. continuing Canadian border closure

| Posted in In the News

The White House continued to refuse expanding on the reasoning behind its decision not to allow vaccinated Canadians to cross the border by land into the U.S., despite Americans being allowed to head north, and that is frustrating Washington lawmakers. “I remain extremely frustrated that the White House has failed to sufficiently explain its position on our northern border,” Rep.…

The Spokesman-Review: White House says U.S.-Canada border closure ‘determined by our public health officials’ as Northwest Democrats, Republicans alike cry foul

| Posted in In the News

WASHINGTON – Weeks after allowing passenger flights from Canada to the United States, the Biden administration has not explained why Canadians can’t make similar trips in a car. Congressional Democrats and Republicans alike have criticized the policy as affecting struggling border communities in their districts. Asked about the issue in Monday’s White House press briefing, Press…

DelBene Statement on Continued U.S. Northern Border Closure

| Posted in Press Releases

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) released the following statement after the United States extended land and water travel restrictions from Canada through October 21, 2021. “Another month brings another border extension. That means more unpredictability, suffering, and frustration for our border communities. It does not follow the science to say Canadians can fly from Vancouver…

KING 5: Extension of US border closure brings more 'frustration,' Washington congress member says

| Posted in In the News

Suzan DelBene is calling on the Biden administration to reopen the northern border to vaccinated Canadians. BLAINE, Wash. — It will be at least another month before Canadians can drive into the United States following the decision in the White House to extend the border restrictions Monday.  The restrictions, which would have otherwise been lifted Sept. 21, were extended…

Bellingham Herald: Latest border closure extension means more ‘unpredictability, suffering and frustration’

| Posted in In the News

The United States will extend its border closure with Canada to non-essential travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic another month, the White House announced Monday, Sept. 20. White House Response Coordinator Jeff Zients announced the closure will be extended until Oct. 21, USA Today reported along with several other national news sources. Homeland Security has yet not made a similar…

President Biden: It’s time to reopen the northern border

| Posted in eNewsletters

Dear friend, Businesses and families in Whatcom County, particularly the isolated community of Point Roberts, were praying that this week would bring news that the Canada-U.S. border would begin to reopen. For more than a year, our border communities have been cut off from Canadian tourism and the seasonal commerce they rely on. However, these hopes were dashed when the Biden…