U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is currently conducting a thorough investigation into a recent road rage incident involving an alleged American border officer and a Canadian tourist. The incident, captured in a viral video, shows the officer aggressively pursuing the tourist’s vehicle in a high-speed chase on a highway in New York, just south of the Canada-U.S. border.
In the 39-second video clip, the uniformed officer is seen tailgating the tourist’s car with an Ontario license plate before overtaking and pulling alongside to deliver a stern warning, shouting, “Never come back to the U.S.”
The video, which surfaced on social media on Sept. 26, quickly garnered millions of views, sparking concerns and outrage among viewers. While CBP has acknowledged the incident, they have refrained from divulging specific details due to privacy laws.
CBP spokesperson Mike Niezgoda emphasized the agency’s commitment to upholding integrity and professionalism among its employees. The agency reassured the public that all allegations of misconduct are taken seriously, and they aim to maintain transparency in addressing such matters.
This incident comes amidst heightened tensions between Canada and the U.S., with Global Affairs Canada cautioning travelers about potential scrutiny from U.S. border guards. The current political climate, including trade disputes and annexation threats, has led to a decline in Canadian travelers visiting the U.S. Statistics Canada reported a significant 36.9% decrease in the number of Canadians making return trips from the U.S. by automobile in July compared to the previous year, reflecting a trend of declining cross-border travel.