The Peace Arch Port of Entry (POE) is a building that sits along the highway connecting Vancouver, Canada with Seattle, Washington. It is part of the Blaine, Washington Service Port. The Peace Arch POE was built in 1976. In 2011, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection (CBP) spent $107 million and expanded Peace Arch Point of Entry to 30,000 square feet, 10 primary inspection lanes, 40 secondary inspection lanes and a new bridge entering the United States from Canada. With this expansion, there is a greater need for persons to fill more border patrol jobs in Peace Arch in this breathtakingly beautiful new architectural marvel. The Peace Arch POE is the third-busiest POE on the U.S.-Canadian border, with an average of 9000 vehicles per day crossing the border in September 2012 alone.
Peace Arch is part of the Beyond the Border Program, a joint program of the U.S. and Canadian governments to maintain border integrity. As part of that program, more routine information, including biographical information, is being collected on immigrants into both countries and shared between the two government agencies (the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Canadian Border Services Agency).
Border Crimes in Peace Arch, Washington
Because Peace Arch is the third-busiest American-Canadian border crossing, crimes can be expected to occur from time to time. However, published crimes in Peace Arch are few and far between. The most recent and notorious border crime in Peace Arch was the shooting of a Canadian customs officer by a Seattle man in October of 2012.
Border Crossings in Peace Arch, Washington
The Peace Arch POE encompasses two border crossings/land ports of entry:
- Peace Arch, Blaine, Washington
- Peace Arch, Douglas, British Columbia
Border Patrol Requirements and Job Titles in Peace Arch, Washington
The Peace Arch Point of Entry provides unique opportunities for those interested in border patrol jobs. One might elect to apply for a job as an American Border Patrol Agent. Alternatively, one could choose to apply to work as a Canadian Border Services Officer.
U.S. Border Patrol Agent: These agents patrol the U.S.-Canadian border on foot and in vehicles. They are law enforcement agents who are responsible for ensuring that no one and nothing enters the United States illegally. Requirements to work for the CBP as a Border Patrol Agent include:
- U.S. Citizenship
- Be under the age of 40
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Pass a background check
- Pass a medical examination
- Pass physical fitness tests
- Pass drug tests
- Be willing to accept assignment at any border crossing in the United States
Canadian Border Services Officer: These professionals patrol the Canadian side of the border with the United States and help manage the entry of persons and goods into Canada. Preference is given to Canadian citizens, but this is not a requirement for the job. Requirements for this position include:
- Completed secondary school education
- Have Standard First Aid Certification
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Complete the Canadian Firearms Safety Course and the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course
- Be willing to accept assignment at any border patrol post in Canada