U.S. border agents arrest Canadian after crossing Gordie Howe International Bridge into Detroit
· Toronto Sun
A Canadian citizen with a criminal record was apprehended by U.S. border officials after crossing the soon-to-be-opened Gordie Howe International Bridge.
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A U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson confirmed to the Star that a 28-year-old man with a criminal history including prior sexual assault and theft convictions, crossed the bridge on foot from Canada on March 6.
Officers took the man into custody in Detroit.
Following their investigation, U.S. authorities returned the man to Canada and barred him from re-entry into the United States.
His identity has not been released.
“The integrity of our international crossings is vital to our nation’s security,” the spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
“CBP officers work diligently every day to protect our borders, and this incident is another example of their commitment to safeguarding the homeland.”
U.S. officials referred further questions regarding how the man gained access to the bridge site in Windsor to Canadian authorities.
The Canada Border Services Agency directed all inquiries on the incident to the Detroit-Windsor Bridge Authority and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The Detroit-Windsor Bridge Authority did not respond before the The Star’s print deadline.
The long-awaited new border crossing between Windsor and Detroit is expected to open in late spring, although no official date has been released.
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened in early February to indefinitely delay opening the Gordie Howe bridge, while demanding “at least” half ownership of the massive infrastructure project. Both Canada and the U.S. already jointly own the bridge, though Canada paid the $6.4-billion cost, which it will recoup through tolls.
In late September, a truck was stopped by Canada Border Services Agency officers after it was driven on to the bridge from the U.S. side. It did not reach the Canadian port of entry.
The truck was sent back to Detroit.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge — with walking and cycling lanes, six traffic lanes, 16 toll lanes and 60 Canada and U.S. inspection lanes — will provide a direct connection between Ontario’s Highway 401 and Michigan’s Interstate 75.