US Customs and Border Protection- Sumas Port of Entry — Local services in Sumas

After 7 weeks on the road in our motorhome towing a Jeep from Southern Arizona through Canada to Alaska, around Alaska and finally back through Canada, we were finally re-entering the Lower 48 at Abbotsford, BC and we were treated terribly!

After a lengthy interview at the drive-up booth which determined that we had lemons on board from Alaska (which they were not going to allow in), we were told to pull to the furtherest turn out under the awning and wait, that and ag inspecter would need to go through the motorhome. We did as we were told. After waiting a couple of minutes a customs official who was getting off work walked over to us and asked what we were doing. We told him and he said, "There's no drive-up service here, you have to go inside." We mentioned that we couldn't get the motorhome out of there without moving the barricades and he said, "Well then why did you park here?" We told him because we were told to by booth guy.

So we went inside, waited in line for an Ag Inspector, when my 78 year old husband decided he wanted a cigarette and went outside. One of the Customs officials, a grey headed, grey bearded guy in shorts said to me, 'Where is he going?" I told him, to have a cigarette. He said to me (the non-smoker) "There is no smoking withing 50 feet of the building. It stinks. We dont want to smell it." I replied that I didn't smoke either. I went to the door and told husband that he needed to come back in and what the Customs official had said. A few minutes later the Ag inspector came over, asked why we were there and we gave him our referral slip and mentioned lemons. He got our permission to go in the motorhome and then we asked if they could move the barricades as that was the only way we could get out. He said they could do that. This was the only official who treated us politely and like humans instead of terrorists.

We were told to have a seat indoors and he'd be done shortly. While waiting, my husband decided to walk the more than 50 feet to the stop sign to have a cigarette. Grey guy says to me, "Now where is he going?!" I told him and he said, "No, get him back here. You need to wait IN HERE until you're cleared to go. Heck, he's done now and moving the barriers." And he promptly got up and marched out the door after mu husband. Our passports were finally returned and we were allowed to leave. All this rude, unfriendly treatment over lemons?! After all was said and done, they were left in the motorhome.

Note (to show our attempt to comply with all rules and regulations): We travel with a cat and we had health inspections done and certificates obtained before leaving home (for presentation in Alaska) and again in Alaska (for re-entry into the U.S.) as they are only good for 30 days. U.S. Customs NEVER wanted the Health...

I've been traveling to the states for years now, more recently since my now Fiance lives in Bellingham. I get frequently stopped, searched, and interrogated at this gate because they assume I'm moving over. All border agents at this location EACH one tells me a different thing that is "okay or not okay" to be doing. (I bring up that a border agent TOLD me I was okay to travel every month or two to visit, and why would one guy tell me this was okay but now why are you telling me it's not and I'm getting in trouble?) Every guard changes it, it's like they are all doing their job with their own personal bias. Even with working and paying rent, which I was told was okay and made my purpose living in Canada worthwhile - I was then told I would get banned because being engaged to a man means I'll be moving over. That I now have to have receipts of CONTRACTS because "im more connected to the states!" How absurd I am Canadian born and I've never even been arrested in my life. Everytime they ask I tell them I am NOT moving over, they searched my phone, even my parents with me at the time vouched I had nothing to be moving over for, he plans to move up here. LEGALLY, with a lawyer and through the proper documentation. They have never been nice to me except one sweet man, on the walls there are signs about respect. you do not feel that here, they don't want to let you use the restroom at all. One time my fiance almost peed himself in their lobby because they refused to let him go. They've broken things in my luggage in my car while searching too. I get such bad anxiety going through here, I don't drive because of my motion sickness and they think I'm lying as to why I don't drive. I'm even more inclined to FLY into the states then pass this gate, I really think officers or higher ups need to look into this spot and fix it and hire new patrol agents. They aren't supposed to be friends, and they have to do their job. But talking down and treating people badly/making you feel terrified for your safety and well-being is insane. Be careful when you go...

I crossed the border here on Sept 9th. Like I see other Canadians writing, the officer on duty was hands down the rudest & most unprofessional person I have ever encountered in my life and I work as a nurse so that’s saying a lot. When I went to make a complaint, I was denied the officer name. They said he was “hard of hearing” and that’s why he was shouting. Again I work as nurse so I’m very familiar with HOH people and they are not rude. This officer started by screaming at me and asking if I was blind and that a red light means nothing to me. I told him that his sign says to proceed when the next car has cleared and apologized. He continued on with his rant and refused to let it go. While I was waiting for him he was talking to another officer about how “special” the people infront where as they were confused on where to park to go in. Again yelling at them as well. Throughout his interrogation he continued to be condescending and rude making me and my partner wildly uncomfortable that I just want to return to Canada so bad and forget our trip. This officer abuses his power. He needs a course on how to treat people with the basic level of humanity and respect. This was the first person we encountered going into Washington. Great example of an American (NOT). I will never cross this border again. Of course I file a complaint that will go no where cause he’s a “police” officer. Needless to say a Canadian officer would never act this way. If I acted in this fashion as a nurse I’d be fired or at the bare...