The US-Canada Border Closure Leaves Families Separated Indefinitely

 

On March 14^th, 2020, my family from America came to visit Windsor. COVID-19 lockdowns had already been announced, but we wanted to get in one last weekly visit before the borders were temporarily closed. That night, we said our goodbyes thinking it would probably be a few weeks until the border would reopen, and we could see each other again. Little did we know that those few weeks would soon turn into 272 days and counting. I have not seen my family in almost 8 months, and in Windsor-Essex County, I am not a rare case.

Many people living in Windsor-Essex have family across the border, and COVID-19 has left these families separated for months. Lourdes Lasala is a 21-year-old student at the University of Windsor who has felt the effect of the border closure firsthand. Lasala’s parents are healthcare professionals working in Michigan and have had to stay in America full-time since the pandemic hit.

“All in all, having the border closed has been hard. At first, it felt like my parents were just gone on vacation, so for a while it was okay,” says Lasala “But then a month turned into more and it got harder being away from them, especially since we didn’t have a say in the matter.”

Lasala then points out that keeping the border closed is important because it will help keep people safe. This is one of the most difficult parts for people like Lourdes and me. There is a constant back and forth between wanting to see our families but simultaneously wanting the border to stay closed until it is safe. This frustration is one many people in Windsor-Essex are experiencing, and it is unknown when it will end.

I have not hugged my grandparents in 272 days. I have not celebrated any birthdays, graduations and holidays with my family in 272 days. For 272 days, people with a family like mine have had to wonder when they will see their family again. With vaccines slowly becoming available around the world, all we can do is hope that we can control the pandemic and be reunited with our families soon.