Clad in protective gear and armed, Tim Thayer starts the engines of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection boat on the Detroit River. As a marine interdiction agent, he is part of a team monitoring the Canada-U.S. border in the region. Thayer operates in the Detroit sector, covering Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, where the border is entirely water-based, spanning 1,388 kilometers.
The proximity of Windsor, Ontario, south of Detroit, creates a unique dynamic with significant cross-border traffic. Thayer, during a patrol, keeps a watchful eye on the Windsor shoreline for any suspicious activities involving people, drugs, and firearms moving between the two countries.
While the Detroit River was a hotspot for smuggling during the Prohibition era, present-day illegal activities are more subdued, but the large number of recreational boaters poses challenges for law enforcement. Intelligence and partnerships are crucial for securing the area effectively, as highlighted by Kris Grogan, chief of external communications at CBP’s air and marine operations.
In 2025, President Donald Trump accused Canada of allowing drugs, particularly fentanyl and human traffickers, to enter the U.S., leading to tariff impositions that were later overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. Despite Trump’s claims of a porous border, the reality is more complex, with U.S. border officials seizing significant amounts of illegal drugs, including fentanyl.
Statistics show a flow of guns from the U.S. to Canada, with Ontario authorities tracing a high percentage of crime guns back to the U.S. According to experts, the U.S. serves as a transit point for drugs moving from Mexico and South America into Canada. The issue of border staffing and security remains a concern, with calls for increased investments in personnel and resources.
Amid political tensions, U.S. border agents emphasize the continued strong working relationship with their Canadian counterparts. The presence of the Gordie Howe International Bridge symbolizes the intertwined yet strained bond between the two nations.