Immigrant Daily

Peace Arch Paradise for Couple Separated by Border

September 15, 2009 – 6:56 am

For long, the border between countries had prevented two individuals from seeing and holding one another. One such case is of David Williams, an American who could not cross border to meet his Canadian wife. Williams , 45, who lives in Bellingham, can’t travel into Canada because a 6 year old DUI conviction makes him inadmissible. Sadly, his wife was denied entry to the U.S. in July after border officer in Blaine noticed her almost weekly trips and told her they believed her intent was to live in US, not just visit. Fortunately, they have discovered a quiet place where they can meet a metal picnic table beneath a sprawling silver maple in the shadow of this beautiful park’s looming white arch. Surrounded by shrubs and flowers that offer a little privacy, the site is a common meet-up spot for separated Canadians and Americans who may visit the park without officially leaving their respective countries. Len Saunders, the couple’s immigration attorney, said clients use this park because it’s the most neutral spot within the park, almost on top of the boundary line. “It’s a sort of no man’s land,” he said.