U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is currently conducting a thorough examination of a concerning road incident involving an alleged American border officer and a Canadian tourist. The incident, captured in a viral online video, shows the officer aggressively speeding towards the tourist in a grey pick-up truck.
The 39-second clip reveals the officer tailgating the tourist’s vehicle with an Ontario license plate, before abruptly cutting off the driver and shouting, “Never come back to the U.S.”
This alarming event took place on Interstate 90 in New York, just 3 km south of the Canada-U.S. border. The video surfaced on social media on Sept. 26 and has garnered millions of views.
While U.S. border officials have acknowledged the incident and initiated a review, they have refrained from disclosing further details due to privacy laws. The agency emphasizes its commitment to integrity and professionalism, asserting that all employees are held to the highest standards.
In light of recent tensions and travel advisories, Global Affairs Canada has warned Canadian travelers to anticipate heightened scrutiny from U.S. border guards. This caution, coupled with ongoing trade disputes and political uncertainties, has led to a significant decline in Canadian trips to the U.S. Data from Statistics Canada shows a notable 36.9% decrease in the number of Canadians returning from the U.S. by automobile in July compared to the previous year, indicative of a trend of declining cross-border travel.