U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Blaine Sector arrested two Chinese nationals near Blaine, Washington on Sunday, June 15, 2026, according to a post from the agency's official social media account. Both individuals are now in federal custody and awaiting removal proceedings, agents confirmed.
Blaine sits directly on the U.S.-Canada border at the northern tip of Whatcom County, roughly 25 miles north of Bellingham. The Peace Arch Border Crossing, one of the busiest land ports of entry in the Pacific Northwest, lies within the city limits. U.S. Customs and Border Protection maintains a significant presence in the area, with agents actively patrolling both the official crossing zones and the surrounding rural terrain between ports of entry.
The Blaine Sector is responsible for border enforcement along a stretch of the international boundary from the Pacific coast to the crest of the Cascade Mountains. Over the past several years, agents have reported a shift in the nationalities of individuals attempting to cross the border illegally between ports of entry, with individuals from Asian and African nations making up a growing share of encounters alongside the more historically typical Central and South American nationalities.
No additional details about the circumstances of the arrest were provided in the announcement, including the specific location near Blaine, the manner of detection, or whether the individuals had documentation or made any immigration claims. Removal proceedings are a formal immigration process that takes place before an immigration judge; the timeline can vary depending on individual circumstances and the availability of court resources.
The arrest comes a day after a separate Blaine Sector social media post described a meeting with a victim of a crash involving an unlicensed commercial driver. The agency has been active in publicizing both enforcement actions and policy advocacy in recent weeks, reflecting a broader period of heightened border enforcement activity along the northern border.
Whatcom County's proximity to Canada has historically made it one of the more active areas for federal and county law enforcement cooperation on border-related matters. The county's rural landscape of farmland, forests, and wetlands between official crossings creates terrain that can be used for illegal entry attempts. Local agencies routinely coordinate with Border Patrol on response when necessary.
Residents who observe suspicious activity near the border are encouraged to contact CBP's tip line at 1-800-BE-ALERT (1-800-232-5378). Anonymous tips are accepted. For non-emergency situations, residents can also contact the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office.
The two individuals arrested Monday are being processed through the federal immigration system. Their next hearing dates before an immigration judge have not been publicly announced.
