International Border at the twin cities of Sault Ste. Marie


Sault Ste Marie International bridge is a steel truss arch bridge with suspended deck.
There are two separate spans, a double arch span on the U.S. side and a single arch span on the Canadian side.
It connects the twin cities of Sault Ste Marie, Ontario and Sault Ste Marie, Michigan.
In this picture, the left is Canadaian side, and the right is American side ( Interstate HIghway75 ).
Source: Google Map

A duty-free shop, which locates just before entering to Michigan, USA

This photograph shows the Sault Ste Marie International bridge, and the flags of Canada and USA.


U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency of United States Department
of Homeland Security and charged with checking and facilitating international trade, collecting import duties,
and enforcing U.S. regulations, including trade, customs and immigration. CBP is currently the largest law
enforcement agency in the United States with a workforce of more than 42,389 sworn Federal Agents and
Officers. It has its headquarters in Washington, DC. While its primary mission is preventing terrorists and
terrorist weapons from the United States, CBP is also responsible for apprehending individuals attempting to
enter the United States without a legal status, stemming from the flow of illegal drugs and other contraband,
protecting United States agricultural and economic interests from harmful pests and diseases, and protecting
American businesses from intellectual property theft.
Source: Wikipedia

米国入国時の審査

時代を反映しているのだろうか。スー・セント・マリーの米国入国時の審査は厳しく、先ず拳銃と薬物の所持の
有無を聞かれた。薬物の麻薬の運び屋と疑われたらしい。車の窓やドアの鍵を開けたままの状態で税関に誘導された。
事務所では20分くらい待たされてパスポートなどの書類の照合をコンピュータで行っていた。カナダ・米国国境を
またいでの往来の頻度も多く、この地を経て米国入りする日本人は皆無に近いだけに不審に思えたのかも知れない。
やがて税関の係員が車の中にあった施錠してあったスーツケースを引いて現れ、当方の立ち会いの下に検査した。
常備薬についても詳細な説明を求められた。過去に頻繁にカナダと米国の国境を通過しているが、このように
検査されたのは全く初めてである。税関職員の態度は車から降りるよう指示したときと、帰りに乗り込むときでは、
天と地ほど、明らかに違っていた。

本当に何かあると思ったのかも知れない。ほとんどチェックされることなく通り過ぎるのが、全く普通な税関で
あるが、最初は不快に思えたことが、珍しい体験としてプラスに受け止めるべきものかも知れない。


It may be reflecting the present American society. US Customs and Boarder Protection Office at Sault Sainte
Marie stopped our car, and we were taken in the office building. They asked whether we have a pistol and
possess any drugs. It seems to have been suspected of carrying drugs and other illegal items. According to
the officer's instruction, we left a car unlocked there, and the officers inspected the inside of a rented car.
Our passport was taken away, and we are forced to wait about 20 minutes in the office. During that moment,
they carefully checked our passport by a computer, whether it matches documents.

I imagine Japanese to enter the United States through this point is almost none, and this fact triggered an
unnecessary suspicion. Soon later, the officer came back, pulling a suit case in a car to the office, and started
to check all contents inside in the presence of us. They asked about the small amount of basic medicine
when I carry during the trip in details. I have passed the border of Canada and the United States very
frequently for nearly 50 year-time; however, never experienced this kind of an extensive search.

Finally, they understood we are a regular traveler. Attitude of custom's official was clearly different between
when they asked us to leave a car, and the time when finished a thorough examination. The officers might
think that there was really something. We had to lose more than 30 minutes during the journey to a lodge
near the Lake Superior. However, we should take this unexpected event as a positive experience.

Sault Ste Marie International bridge connects the twin cities of Sault Ste Marie, Ontario and Sault Ste Marie,
Michigan.In this picture, the left is Canadaian side, and the right is American side ( Interstate HIghway75 ).

---

States and Providences of USA and Canada, including smoking ban

　BC, Canada
　Alberta
　Saskatchewan
　Manitoba
　Ontario
　Quebec
　New Brunswick
　Nova Scotia

　New Jersey
　Illinois
　California
　Beverly Hills, California　
　Condominium of California
　State of Washington
　Oregon　　
　Montana
　Colorado
　Arizona　
　Maine
　Vermont　
　Ｍassachusetts state.
　New York　
　Maryland　
　Washington,D.C.
　Virginia
　Minnesota　
　Delaware　
　Ohio　
　Iowa　
　Utah　
　Rhode Island　
　Nevada　
　Michigan　
　Wisconsin


USA and CANADA 2007
Arrival to Boston State of Maine to the Canadian Border Quebec City Autumn-tinted Quebec, Montreal
Ottawa Vermont and New Hampshire Boston　 Boston Railway Boston Subway　 Amtrak Acela Express　
Manhattan1 Manhattan2 New York Railway　 New York Subway and JFK Airport

Canada/USA2010
Detroit Airport London Hospitals Niagara Falls Toronto Around Lake Houron Upper Michigan
Lower Michigan Smoking Ban in Ontario Smoking Ban in Michigan Arrival to Washington, D.C. The U.S.capitol
Metro railway Union Station Museums Socioeconomic aspect Smoking ban in Washington, D.C.

Canada 2011
British Columbia Alberta　 Trip to Canada 2011 Vancouver North Vancouver Whistler Skytrain　
VIA train Jasper Icefield and Bow Summit Emerald Lake Lake Louise Banff Calgary Edmonton
Hospitals in BC and Alberta Tobacco control in B.C. and Alberta 2011


カナダ・米国国境（オンタリオ州・ミシガン州）
2010年10月執筆　2013年10月加筆
執筆　医学博士 宮本順伯
★This Web site is link-free.
The article was written and photographs were taken by Dr. Junhaku Miyamoto, in October 2010.
An information was added in October 2013.
Copyright (C) 2010 Junhaku Miyamoto, PhD. All right is reserved.