Point Roberts families fight for students to cross Canadian border for school and activities

It is not a normal back-to-school cycle, especially given the abnormal circumstances that already exist in Point Roberts, Washington.
About 1,300 people live in Point Roberts, a small town just below the 49th parallel. It is surrounded by water on three sides and shares its northern border with Canada, but the town is actually part of Whatcom County.
For many youth living in Point Roberts, school is in Canada, while home is in America. The border between them closed in March and won't reopen until at least Sept. 22. www.king5.com/...

[@jesusdway8351]

It's unnecessary, they just need to give people living on both sides a special kind of pass to make commuting easy.

[@alangibb9785]

I am watching this from Scotland having just flicked through international news channels. I am so so heartbroken for you all having also watched more of this beautiful enclave ( paradise) of which i hadn't even heard of on KZbin . So please forgive me for my ignorance on Geography. Such strong people you are. I will certainly without question add Point Roberts to my bucket list. If any good must come out of this, my home country friends + will be educated REAL SOON.... on Point Roberts. God bless you all.

[@njandrews4105]

Would you like a little Russian enclave in Scotland LOL 😆

[@ThraxMan84]

My thoughts are this. Sell or give Point Roberts to Canada and grant dual citizenship to those living there. That way they don't have to move and can move freely within Canada w/o giving up their US citizenship.

[@adynathaly3145]

You honestly think that's possible. As an American and owning property there I'm a little bit worried that they might take it from me. Or do you think they'll give me a dual citizenship and I will benefit out of it

[@theman75277]

Point Roberts should become Point Roberts British Columbia!! Or all the people to move to the mainland and the provincial and federal governments can buy the point

[@carryeveryday910]

Come and take it!

[@denelson83]

The US will _not_ let Point Roberts go. Period.

[@NOFF07]

would quite literally kill the reason for a lot of people going there but ok

[@coloursoftherainbow8399]

@@denelson83 How do you know that? I saw a resident was putting it forward to the local government.

[@denelson83]

@@coloursoftherainbow8399 Simple. The United States is imperialistic, and will not let go of any land within its sovereignty. For one, the US is still fighting for sole sovereignty of Machias Seal Island.

[@WayneMcNab]

I live on Pender Island. The School system has two dedicated boats to ferry students back and forth to Saltspring Island every day. For you, it would be a lot faster and probably a lot cheaper the running a school bus all that way.

[@terracottawellness1561]

Where are they and how are they doing now---any follow-up?

[@sned101]

As a person who used to live on the Canadian side of the border of Point Roberts for years before moving out to Ottawa (Canada's Capital), this very sad. I always though why did the Point had always not made a ferry route from Blaine or Bellingham to the Point. The Canadian government should only let in Point Roberts Residents unless if they are going to Blaine or anywhere in the US just like Alaskans driving through Canada only(not stopping or visiting Canada). The girl in the last clip is very smart indeed.

[@silkeotd7194]

They have a ferry service to the Washington side in place already. They have been fighting the idea of expanding it because they want to keep the pressure on Canada to cave to their demands. Sorry, but there is good reason not to open access while Point Roberts is accessible to the rest of the U.S. by ferry.

[@monkeycat48]

I’ve lived in Washington from 2000 to 2016 and never even knew about point Roberts even when I went up to where Birchbay was or gone across the border to Canada, I’ve never even heard of this place. I’ve lived in Washington since I was only eight years old, then moved out of there at the age of 23 when I was getting the hell away from Washington’s problems so now I live in Nevada.

[@squamishfish]

What this report does not say is that organized sports has been shut down in the metro Vancouver area which is where these kids would be playing the sports , Point Roberts is in the metro Vancouver area,

[@thelambsauce490]

First world problems

[@coloursoftherainbow8399]

It's in the first world but this is a real problem I wouldn't call it a first world problem.

[@Tsicloh]

It's not a question of First World problem. This could also happen in the global South in cases where exclaves of a country do not have the facilites they should have. It happened for a long while in the case of enclaves on the Bangladesh-India border as well as other Third world countries too.

[@Merzui-kg8ds]

People who move to Point Roberts are not ignorant of the geographically uniqueness. That is why they move there. Cheaper property and houses. Love of ocean surround. Intentional isolation. It is frustrating to live through a pandemic with school aged kids that have their bus route blocked. Most Pointers have a boat for this reason. Others have good friends "on the mainland" that could offer a means for school to happen Monday through Friday. There also was a foot ferry during the pandemic.

[@jasonforster9445]

I have a cabin down here. I miss it so much.

[@currentfaves65]

How many students are we talking about ?

[@yutyuiiu]

you met them all on this video

Point Roberts should be part of Canada and bet they wish they were now.

[@xNamsu]

It would lose all its value if that were the case. The reason it’s flooded with Canadians is for US benefits. Cheaper gas, they can order from US websites and get domestic shipping, cheaper alcohol, etc.

[@jerrycampbell5418]

Allow them to cross the border in their town to their country. In a pandemic we all suffer. I'm sure schools in the area will allow them in.

[@jasonarthurs3885]

As a Canadian, what bothers me greatly about this situation is the lunacy involved. Think about it. Pre-COVID, these children would cross international borders 4X daily to go to school.....absurd! In COVID reality, it's beyond ridiculous. Even dangerous. Pt. Bob, part of COVID hotspot Washington State, has zero COVID cases. Might that, in part, be attributable to the two Canadian borders? Before I get beaten down....yes, I know BC, and most of Canada isn't fairing so well currently. Our case numbers are rising rapidly. Further persuasion to keep the border closed. Also to those questioning the annexation or purchasing Pt. Bob by Canada: Doing so instantly quadruples or quintuples most property values in Pt. Bob; doubling the remainder. The residents would not be able to afford the added tax burdens of "becoming" Canadian.

[@silkeotd7194]

As long as Point Roberts has open access to the rest of the U.S. via ferrys, etc. (which it does,) Canada can't just open the border. Doing so would result in other Americans who have been desperate to get into Canada to travel to Point Roberts and cross that way. Honestly, it's dumb that this piece of land was ever kept by the U.S. after the mistake made in drawing the border on paper.... it should've been ceded/sold to Canada long ago and this would not even be an issue now. And if that happened now, those residents would have their house values go through the roof and likely be given dual citizenship (if they don't already have it.) If they wanted to remain living in the U.S. they could then use that much increased wealth to buy nice homes in Washington mainland (or anywhere else they wanted.) Bottomline, if they want to keep it American, they can't complain too much if Canada is looking out for its own people. Residents can still enter Canada if they quarantine or even for essential appointments from what I read. It's not easy but hey, everybody has to make sacrifices during a pandemic, things could be sooooooo much worse!

[@yuxiang3147]

@@silkeotd7194 You have really good points.

[@lonemaus562]

I mean it can’t be that complicated… there’s always exceptions

[@210SAi]

Just found out about this town today! I’d love to live there! Looks beautiful

[@210SAi]

@Far East Creative Media you know what you’re getting into when you move there. Don’t see how that can be considered a trap

[@njandrews4105]

It should just be Canada.. with a nice big Tsawwassen First Nation’s presents

[@foxnetsov]

all the americans getting super triggered right now because canada wont let them in.. be mad at your own government for failing you. the obvious solution would be point roberts ceding to canada. but from what i've read, the residents dont want to do that but will still complain like its canada's problem

[@silkeotd7194]

Their Washington county has in fact been running a ferry service to them but they have been fighting its expansion because they feel it takes pressure off Canada and they want to keep the pressure on Canada. You're right...this is not Canada's problem.

[@dmitrikguajardo6006]

They need dual citizenship.

[@flowrob6861]

finally something DT can't b blamed for directly . Hopefully kids can find good Canadian housing for the year. Just think of it as Studying Aboard .

[@joshfrench5858]

Canada is full. Go somewhere else.

[@matthewhernandez8342]

@@joshfrench5858 Don’t make me go up there and take your mooses away!

[@joshfrench5858]

@@matthewhernandez8342 lmao

[@lemongrass3345]

@@joshfrench5858 you’re funny Canada isn’t even close to full

[@joshfrench5858]

@@lemongrass3345 ya we at our quota of Americans. They are rapist, murders and they bring drugs guns and crime. Keep them south of the border. 👍🤣

[@cruzmascorro9277]

So why don't they sell and stay on the U.S. main land.

[@silkeotd7194]

@@martianmurray Yes they can, they have ferry service to the Washington mainland.

[@silkeotd7194]

@@martianmurray No, it didn't just start. It started back in the summertime. I've been reading about it for months. Then Whatcom County was talking about increasing it and the Points Roberts people were arguing against it (I read this part in their local newspaper online) because they felt it would take the pressure off Canada and they wanted to keep the pressure focused on Canada.

[@silkeotd7194]

@@martianmurray It's not a car ferry from the videos I've seen but Whatcom County has provided free buses to pick Point Roberts residents up from the Free ferry service when they land in Blaine, WA. If they wanted to move a household (I'm assuming that's what you mean by "moving trucks,") then they could charter a boat for that. I watched a video where people chartered a private boat to get to Port Roberts from the mainland for instance. That's one of the issues involved in border opening I suspect... as long as mainland Americans are able to access Point Roberts, you can't simply open the border to Canada from there.

[@sandramorey2529]

There are situations like this on the southern border as well. There are kids who live in Mexico but go to school in the US. This creates problems, but the alternative is bringing the virus across the border and instead of no cases in your town, you'll get cases and you'll expose grandma & grandpa. It's not going to last forever. I know the last years of high school are crucial so perhaps testing is the answer on a daily basis. A vaccine eventually. Maybe social distancing in school after testing negative. I guess contact sports rule that out.

[@ignignoktthemooninite3679]

As if the southern border restrictions even matter, thousands of people flood across everyday

[@STOPEJECTPLAY]

This is what happens when you believe in governments

[@Captain_Yorkie1]

Or simply not building a school which works for everyone

[@kevinhoward9593]

Its kind of like the Northwest Angle in Minnesota. Kids in the High school have to go in and out of Canada twice each way just to get to school.

[@hhgttg69]

any solution to this yet?

[@kospencer1]

Nope, I think they are deliberately left out to serve as punishment for cheating the big corps and the tax man.

[@silkeotd7194]

Whatcom County (their county on the mainland) has been running a ferry to them for months but they were arguing against doing that because they want to focus the pressure on Canada. Sorry, but Canada has to worry about its own people. There is good reason not to open the border with Point Roberts while Point Roberts can be accessed via the ferry from the U.S.

[@kospencer1]

Silk Eotd Focus the pressure on Canada what? Their kids walk to Canada for school everyday....

[@silkeotd7194]

@@kospencer1 They want to keep the pressure on Canada to make it cave on the border controls during the pandemic.

[@kospencer1]

Silk Eotd not my place to say we should have more control or less control of the border, but do you know there are hundreds of truckers passing through the border without being required to self isolate?

[@debbie189]

Keep boarder closed

[@GH-oi2jf]

Debbie ****** - learn to spell.

[@theman75277]

Boarder??

[@teresas683]

Clearly you don’t live anywhere near here or understand the situation so why not keep your opinion to yourself - it wasn’t valuable🤐

[@greggmitchell4173]

@@theman75277 Border!!!!

[@mattschehr163]

Open the Border

[@محمدالقحطاني-س1ق4ف]

I don’t know but i see canada and USA the same

[@damainman652]

It’s stupid with this, just build an extended bridge that can reach to the other parts of Washington state or in a much more interesting way. Let Canada have that land again so that way they can at least get access to necessities in the rest of the country that they might need.

[@laopang91362]

Crazy border

[@rolfkrajewski4975]

This is absolutely not canada's problem why doesnt the US create some sort of ferry system to ship these people back and forth

[@joshuasanchezi]

Build the Wall Trudeau 2020 🇨🇦

[@waelgrouci1813]

Why doesn't the government build schools and sport Institutions there? Or make a maritime line to the next US coast

[@s.k.4368]

We don’t care, stay out until your country can act like adults. Not Canada’s responsibility to teach American kids.

[@teresas683]

S. K. Don’t speak on behalf of all Canadians. Point Roberts has 0 cases, BC has 1803🎤

[@s.k.4368]

@@teresas683 how much does the U.S have again? a pandemic isn't the time to play semantics

[@mattschehr163]

It is Canada’s responsibility

[@jansariusz]

...and what about witness protection program?

[@lovesweetpeas47]

These kids should be allowed to go to school and sports its very sad at what is happening. I am a Canadian from Alberta, I believe that they should not be punished by this border closure. They have no place else to go, and it seems like their own country has forgotten them😞

[@ab8588]

Trey wouldn’t allow your kids in the USA so screw them.

[@lovesweetpeas47]

@@ab8588 I am not an American I am a Canadian just saying

[@miastrong151]

They chose to live there. It is their problem.

[@thenewgeneration2378]

I mean, yes they chose to live there but no one could've predicted the pandemic. That's the only reason they're in trouble right now. Just like they have an exception with dual citizenship and are able to attend school in BC in the first place, they should be allowed to continue going to school like the other Canadians.

[@monkeycat48]

Well, they’re not the only one that’s having an issue. I’ve heard there is an island that’s actually much closer to Maine yet it’s a Canadian island surprisingly they make the same claim that they should be owned by America instead of Canada. then there’s the northwest angle that area was definitely marked wrong. Whoever was in charge of the map of that borderline completely was drunk. But for a long time nobody’s made changes to that there was that time in the 90s that there was calls for having that resolved but nope it’s still the same. I lived in Washington for nearly 15 1/2 years and never even knew about point Roberts ever in my life. I live in Nevada now but in all that time I never even knew about it. I got to say the only thing I’m kind of surprised that I had a hard time believing is where the heck is the ferry? I keep wondering myself do they have a ferry route? or do they have to use their own boats just to get there either way I get it it’s annoying you gotta pay nobody wants to pay every time to take the ferry to go run errands. but also yeah going across the border going 70 miles all the way to the US border crossing through Canada with your passport. Yeah that sucks I am thankful I don’t have to live in that situation.

[@noelcahill6707]

America and canada for the min could have a sea border which would leave the town inter act with canada for school shopping and every day life

[@currentfaves65]

How many of these 1,300 people are Americans if 75% of the homes are owned by Canadians as vacation property ?

[@Dameka247]

Wow!

[@cls0372]

I think there should be a fence along the US/Canada border.

[@henrymudgett2646]

And what will that do?

[@seanbrummfield448]

Stuck up Canadians. Kids just trying to go to school.

[@billrobertjoe]

@@seanbrummfield448 how do you feel about Mexican kids going into America for school?

[@seanbrummfield448]

@@billrobertjoe I'm fine with that. I live in a pretty mixed culture community. Hammond, Indiana. Mexicans were the majority at my school. I met some that were born in Mexico, or they were born in America, or they were under DACA, or were just plain undocumented. I live in a liberal community. So, I'm far from fine with it. Especially, if they're just a few miles from the US border, and their regional school is miles away, or if they would want a higher education in America. I'm not for a wall bordering into any country. As soon as Trump gets elected, now everything's about a wall between Mexico and the US, and Canadians talking about a wall between the US. I can't believe it took one man to really show the ignorance of our people, countries and politics. North American countries are said to have the most relaxed borders in the world, but modern rhetoric has been ignorant, xenophobic, stereotypical, and plain out dumb. This goes for US Americans and Canadians. Canadians are said to be the nice ones, but what most have done in recent years was just show another side of their asses, while most Americans...............It isn't much new. So, I believe this behaviour is really mind boggling. All three of our countries depend so much on each other, and good thing we have lenient governments, because if it was the peoples decisions on border relations, who knows what could be happening now.

[@seanbrummfield448]

@@billrobertjoe I guess you thought I would have the American conservative view. lol. Nope, sorry. I believe in lenience and equality.

[@AW-xv7dq]

Ummm... buy a boat. Or pool your money together for a community water craft option.

[@silkeotd7194]

They have ferry service already.

[@dalethepalemale6855]

Buy me one

[@alexburns6783]

Why don't they just become part of Canada? Problem solved.

[@ernestogastelum9123]

oh no, not being able to go to school, what a tragedy

[@shellyspackman738]

American kids attended my Canadian school because we were the closest school. It was a wonderful arrangement. The border closing between the two countries has split families. Unless you live in a border town, don’t comment!

[@rolfkrajewski4975]

So they learned the canadian curriculum and not the US curriculum?

[@shellyspackman738]

,Yes, Canadian schools rank higher than the US. They do learn American heritage and Canadian . It gives them a broader view of the world they live in.

[@rolfkrajewski4975]

@@shellyspackman738 interesting

[@silkeotd7194]

Everybody has a right to comment on a public post first of all. Certainly Canadians and Americans have every right to comment. And lastly, I live in a border town in Ontario. Regardless of that, there is nothing wrong with being careful during a pandemic. As long as Point Roberts remains accessible to the rest of the U.S. via ferry service from Washington state (which they have,) then it makes good sense not to allow residents open access to the rest of Canada. They are already allowed to come in for essential appointments, have ferry service to the Washington mainland and they could move into Canada to do school if they feel they must attend in person. It's a pandemic, things are not easy for many people!

[@dalethepalemale6855]

@@silkeotd7194 There is being careful and then there is being paranoid. Some of these measures are doing more harm than good. A Canadian is not in any more danger from a Pt Roberts resident than from an Ontario resident flying to Vancouver.

[@randykelly8302]

Could point Roberts become part of Canada. ..the border could be closed for a while...

[@hopper131]

Move to the WA state mainland. It’s not Canada’s responsibility to help you have your cake and eat it too.

[@pavrajbrar9547]

lmao yea who would actually want to move to point roberts

[@lanacastillo49]

@@pavrajbrar9547 id move there its beautiful

[@blackviews202]

Then why do they live there?

[@adynathaly3145]

I think it's because it's more affordable than Vancouver don't you think

[@de_stroyed]

Solution: Have Canada buy Point Roberts from the U.S.

[@foxnetsov]

why would canada buy it though? theres little to no value in having it be part of canada.

[@de_stroyed]

@@foxnetsov It makes geographical sense that Canada should buy it and there has been talks of Canada wanting to buy Point Roberts but nothing has really taken off yet.

[@AW-xv7dq]

Letter to Trump? What's in it for him? You will never hear back.

[@ronh2660]

Yup its his fault

[@michaelqu]

Why not just build a bridge to Blaine?

[@tr4753]

Rich people problem

[@nickunger3043]

Governments make rules that are one size fits all. Please dont ask DC to think

[@tailormade3072]

Say out of Canada please , stay home until nobody dies

[@David53D]

When will 'nobody' die?

[@NWOterminated]

you mean the PLandemic? Yea, be good sheeple

[@paulthibeault1886]

Almost 6600 confirmed Covid-19 cases in BC to date and zero in Point Roberts. I think Canada is more a threat to them than they are to Canada.

[@Perfectlyhonest22]

People die every day for many reasons so what a ridiculous comment

[@chrislang2359]

Thats the most stupid statement I have ever heard! Your a idiot!

[@ModelNumbers]

It’s such a small area too like seriously they are so dependent on Canada for literally yet nope they are still “want” these challenges

[@chaddalziel8524]

They should all have dual citizenship

[@JavierPerez-vk2ec]

Two options either sell it to Canada or bring Mexican migrant workers and restaurant entrepreneurs by offering them a path to residence after 5 years . The right Mexican restaurants will boom and attract more tourists and visitors. My opinion is that it’s better off being sold to Canada so all the residents can have access to the school system and all the infrastructure that it offers without a citizenship issue plus it’s the same language.

[@aycc-nbh7289]

But the U.S. Navy apparently values its strategic location.

[@miastrong151]

I don't really care about any of them. Is that wrong?

[@miastrong151]

@@raymond19001 No, I just think they are whiny self-entitled m0rons. They moved to the most remote part of the United States simply to mooch off of Canada's resources and make it a point to look like they are the ones being robbed. Well, your decisions have consequences, sweethearts. Don't expect for anyone to give two f--ks about you. I certainly do not give one.

[@Captain_Yorkie1]

Why can't they build a high school. Could just demolition the current school and build a joint primary and high school.

[@tianly6177]

boo hoo, poor middle class people.😢😢😢

[@debbie189]

Your either in Canada or Washington if Canada go to Canada school if WA go WA school

[@zihaoding7828]

they cant go WA schools either with border close, unless go school by boat every day.

[@oofbloof2401]

@@zihaoding7828 well it isn’t Canada’s responsibility to send these American kids to school.

[@11cost1]

@@oofbloof2401 you are right.

[@jordanjohnson9866]

Nah. Not essentially in Canada. /

[@AnhTuPhucDerrickHoangCanada]

Are they Americans?

[@duckythegamer7263]

Yes, but have to cross Canada to travel to schools in US

[@MultiPetercool]

They should just secede to Canada 🇨🇦

[@SPChef1981]

Uuuuummm...no. that's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Besides, you Canadians are pretty much American anyways. Eh

[@janajana8243]

Then Canadians wouldn't be able to go to PR to pick up their Amazon packages.

[@teresas683]

scott carlson bo that’s the dumbest thing🙄🙄🇨🇦👉🏻💩

[@davidmcallaster7085]

@MG Stevens america bad give likes

[@mattschehr163]

No BC should be US

[@GH-oi2jf]

No, you do not live “inside of Canada.” Find a better way to express what you mean.

[@teresas683]

GH1618 Wow, self righteous. Do you live there or near there? I’m guessing not bc she made perfect sense.

[@LutherAEvans]

This is the type of thing that happens when common sense is not there.

[@ibraheemrao8434]

Ameroca is too proud too sell.

[@denelson83]

Use. Boats.

[@dalethepalemale6855]

Buy me one

[@Perfectlyhonest22]

We have got to start Covid testing on arrival to avoid this 14 day quarantine rule

[@teresas683]

robert friesen it can lie dormant for up to 14 days so how will that help?

[@davefranciscasinillo8948]

It is best for your kids to stay at home while the COVID-19 pandemic is blowing out of control in the mainland.

[@davefranciscasinillo8948]

@Mo Vo yes it could last year's but nobody will die because one has no education and COVID-19 can surely kill, maybe not the children, but those vulnerable love ones who they can infect might die.

[@davefranciscasinillo8948]

@Mo Vo yes. That is why it is best for kids and everyone should stay at home until this pandemic is over.

[@robertace821]

Ferry CC

[@GH-oi2jf]

Doesn’t Point Roberts have a school? Why should Americans go to a Canadian school? Seems to me that when they are above elementary level, they should go to an American boarding school.

[@AJonAir1]

Only up to 4th grade.

[@Captain_Yorkie1]

@@AJonAir1 then why not build one or expand the current one

[@AJonAir1]

There likely isn't a lot of room to add on or build another school, as well as cost.

[@jakepyrett1715]

Just move already boo hoo

[@BlueTickCH]

Than move out

[@heylooknohienz]

Well your living in another country. Would that make sense to either A. Have USA politicians sell that place to Canada or B. Have a Ferry between Robert's and the rest of state of Washington

[@Matanumi]

Ferry was ran but TOO expensive to maintain. And America wont EVER sell the land for the millions of dollars of fishing rights alone. Its very in American too

[@MLSPlatforms]

@@Matanumi we just sent over 100 billion dollars to Ukraine, I’m sure there’s money somewhere

[@ysfma755]

Well that’s the price of living in an isolate area. Sometimes you will be isolated. Amateur sports is indeed not essential in the face of global pandemic. It should not be.

[@Matanumi]

LOL drone footage

[@morpheus6394]

This is dump

[@amb-yz9ee]

We should invade

[@alexmcintyre8229]

I think that Point Roberts should simply leave the US and join Canada

[@stephenwatson8981]

Arrogant Canadians

[@MrJeep75]

Just give it to Canada

[@danielpark8003]

Someday Canada and the USA will become one country very very very very soon!!!!!!!!

[@Matanumi]

Not happening. Canada would get nuked before it happened Similar but different

[@ab8588]

They voted for trump so enjoy.

[@Lewizzzy]

We Americants have to spread the wuhan CCP love 💕 what about Hong Kong 🇭🇰 ? That’s the true sad 😞 story.

[@Windja69]

But Hong Kong has millions of people, although true dat still.

[@pluumpiiboi3434]

just join canada lmfao