By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

A recent visit by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to the Haskell Free Library and Opera House has sparked strong reactions on both sides of the border, with community members decrying what they see as disrespectful remarks made during her appearance.

Noem visited the historic cross-border library on Jan. 30, accompanied by U.S. Border Patrol, Homeland Security officials, and the Secret Service. Her visit was unannounced until the morning of her arrival, when federal agents informed library staff that she would be touring the space. According to reports, Noem stood on the American side of the library, declared, “USA number one,” and then stepped onto the Canadian side, saying, “The 51st state.”

Witnesses, including library staff, found the remark inappropriate. “My employees were very shocked by what they saw,” said Sylvie Boudreau, president of the library’s board of trustees. She was in another room speaking with Homeland Security officials at the time of the incident but later heard about it from multiple staff members and volunteers. “They were surprised that she would do something like that,” she said. “For us, it was not respectful.” She also noted that Noem’s staff found the remark amusing.

The library, which has stood for over a century as a symbol of cross-border unity, operates in a unique legal grey area, allowing Canadians and Americans to enter from their respective countries without passing through an official border crossing. Given its history and role in fostering international community ties, Noem’s remarks have been widely condemned as needlessly provocative.

“The library was made to unite the two communities, to unite the people from the United States and Canada,” Boudreau emphasized. “It was very loose, and everything was fun. We’ve always been one big family at the library.”

In response to Noem’s comments, a petition was launched by residents of Stanstead, Quebec, and Derby Line, Vermont, denouncing her behavior and calling for an apology. The petition describes the library as “a symbol of cooperation, history, and friendship” and insists that Noem’s words were a direct insult to the cross-border community. It also calls for official recognition of the library’s cultural significance and urges respect for those who safeguard the border.

Noem’s visit came in the wake of the killing of U.S. Border Patrol agent David “Chris” Maland in Coventry, Vermont, on Jan. 20. Boudreau noted that during her meeting with Homeland Security representatives, authorities framed the library as a security concern, citing past incidents of firearm smuggling. “It was explained as if it happens every week,” she said. “That’s simply not the case.” She recalled a 2010 incident in which a firearm was left in the library’s bathroom and later seized by authorities but emphasized that such events are rare.

While Boudreau acknowledged that border security is important, she pushed back against any characterization of the library as a threat. “We work closely with the authorities to make it a safe place,” she said. “Nothing happens here that isn’t caught by surveillance. We train our staff to recognize if someone is scouting the place. We’re not a loophole.” She also recounted a recent instance of an individual crossing illegally near the library and being promptly apprehended by the RCMP.

The library has already faced increasing restrictions in recent years. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, cross-border meetings were common, with residents from both countries gathering for discussions and events. Those meetings have since been banned. Boudreau worries that further scrutiny could impact the library’s operations. “We’re concerned that the sidewalk leading to the library’s entrance on the U.S. side could be closed off,” she said. “If that happens, we have a plan to open a Canadian door in the back, but that would only complicate things further for border officials.”

Reflecting on past border policies, Boudreau noted how much things have changed. “When I started as a customs officer, people would just open the door and say, ‘Do you have anything to declare?’ and that was it,” she said. “After 9/11, everything changed.” Despite the controversy, she remains hopeful that the library can continue to serve its original mission. “Whether you’re Canadian or American, it doesn’t matter here. We should all be working to protect the history and purpose of this place, not making a spectacle of it.”