U.S. Exit Checks: Longstanding Policy Misrepresented, Businesses Affected
Exit checks at the U.S.-Canada border aren't new—but fear-driven headlines have already caused a 32% drop in Canadian travel.
By Troy Tyrell, Owner of Tsquared Personal Training | WBN Correspondent
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Published: May 20, 2025
U.S. exit checks have been a standard enforcement practice for over two decades, yet recent portrayals by some media outlets have misrepresented them as sudden or extreme. This mischaracterization has sparked public concern and produced real-world consequences for tourism and trade between the U.S. and Canada—especially in cross-border communities like Blaine, WA and Surrey, BC, or Sumas, WA and Abbotsford, BC.
Exit Checks Are Not New
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has long conducted outbound inspections at major crossings like Peace Arch and Sumas. These checks help apprehend fugitives, intercept contraband, and enforce immigration compliance. There has been no recent change in laws or executive orders to expand this policy. What’s new is the increased public attention—often fuelled by misunderstanding or misleading framing.
Media Narratives and Real Fear
Claims circulating online that Canadians are now being detained simply for leaving the U.S. are often inaccurate or misleading. They frequently reference cases from the southern border or different visa categories. For example, Canadian Jasmine Mooney was detained for 11 days at the U.S.-Mexico border after a work visa application denial. Meanwhile, reports of two German tourists and a backpacker from Wales being held have circulated widely, even though these incidents were unrelated to the Canada-U.S. border.
Despite the lack of connection, these stories have created a climate of anxiety. Statistics Canada reported that Canadian land travel to the U.S. dropped by 32% in March 2025 compared to March 2024. Air travel fell by 13.5% over the same period. This sharp decline aligns with heightened concern about U.S. immigration enforcement, a trend intensified during the Trump administration and persisting in public perception.
Tangible Impacts to Business and Trade
1. Cross-Border Tourism Suffers
Border towns like Blaine, Sumas, and Point Roberts in Washington—and Canadian counterparts like Surrey, Abbotsford, and White Rock—depend heavily on cross-border visitors. In Blaine, 75% of restaurants reported fewer Canadian patrons this spring. Sumas-area hotels saw a 60% drop in weekend bookings. Businesses in Abbotsford cited a 50% decline in U.S. foot traffic.
2. Freight and Trade Delays
The Canadian Trucking Alliance noted that 25% of freight companies in British Columbia and Ontario adjusted routes or delivery times in response to confusion over enforcement practices. Given the $760+ billion annual trade volume between the U.S. and Canada, even small delays at key crossings like Blaine, Niagara Falls, and Detroit-Windsor have economic repercussions. Added compliance efforts have increased costs for logistics firms.
3. Small Businesses Feel the Squeeze
Small businesses on both sides of the border are suffering. A Blaine café laid off three staff due to reduced traffic. A Surrey boutique that relies on American shoppers reported a 55% revenue drop. In Emerson, MB and Lynden, WA, service businesses have reduced hours or downsized their teams. These examples show how even perception changes can trigger economic pain.
4. Losses in Professional Services
Professionals such as consultants, therapists, and coaches who cross the border for client meetings are also seeing disruptions. A Vancouver-based executive coach reported that 50% of her American clients cancelled in-person sessions in early 2025. The Global Business Travel Association saw a 20% drop in business travel from Canada to the U.S. during Q1 of 2025.
Conclusion: Context Matters More Than Clicks
Exit checks have been routine and unchanged—but how they're portrayed matters. Misleading coverage is driving down travel, hurting small businesses, and damaging cross-border relationships. These impacts are not theoretical—they are already happening.
It’s time to report with balance and context. Public discourse should clarify—not confuse—the realities of U.S.-Canada travel. Cross-border communities deserve better than fear-based headlines.
By Troy Tyrell
Owner, Tsquared Personal Training
WBN Correspondent – Vancouver, BC
📞 (604) 250-9784
📢 Subscription to WBN and being a Contributor is FREE. Click here to begin reading or writing with us!
Tags: #border policy, #cross border trade, #tourism decline, #small business impact, #US canada relations #WBN News #Troy Tyrell
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