U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Blaine Sector arrested a Mexican national near Lynden, Washington last week following a check of the individual's immigration and criminal history. According to the agency's public post, the man had prior arrests for driving under the influence and is currently awaiting removal proceedings.
Lynden is a Whatcom County city located approximately eight miles north of Bellingham and about five miles south of the Canadian border. The community is predominantly known for its Dutch heritage and agricultural economy, and it sits in a corridor that Blaine Sector agents routinely patrol due to its proximity to multiple legal and informal border crossing points.
The Blaine Sector of U.S. Customs and Border Protection covers the northern border of Washington State, including all of Whatcom County. The sector's area of responsibility extends from the Pacific Coast to the Idaho border and includes seven ports of entry. Blaine Sector agents regularly conduct enforcement operations in inland areas of Whatcom County, not just directly at the border, as part of their mandate to enforce immigration law within 100 miles of an international boundary.
Removal proceedings are a formal immigration process administered by the Department of Homeland Security and the Executive Office for Immigration Review, which operates under the Department of Justice. Individuals placed in removal proceedings have the right to appear before an immigration judge, present their case, and seek relief such as asylum or cancellation of removal if they qualify. Those without valid claims may ultimately be ordered removed from the United States.
Prior DUI arrests can complicate immigration cases significantly. Under U.S. immigration law, certain criminal convictions or records can affect eligibility for various forms of relief and may be treated as aggravating factors by immigration judges when evaluating whether discretionary relief is appropriate. The specific outcome of any individual removal case depends on a range of legal and factual circumstances.
Blaine Sector has been posting regular enforcement updates to its social media channels throughout 2026, covering arrests across Whatcom County from Blaine to Lynden to more rural agricultural areas. The agency's public communications typically include nationality, prior criminal history where relevant, and current custody status. For more context on law enforcement activity in Whatcom County, the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office recently announced leadership promotions reflecting continued investment in regional public safety staffing.
Anyone with information about suspected illegal border crossings or related activity in Whatcom County can contact CBP's tip line or reach the Blaine Sector directly through official channels.
