Man Who Swam From Canada to Michigan Says He’s Looking For Work

A 47-year-old British man was arrested last week after swimming the St. Clair River from Canada to Port Huron, Mich.

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Thursday evening, Port Huron Police received a call about a distressed swimmer near the Blue Water Bridge, The Times Herald reports,

The U.S. Coast Guard and St. Clair County Sheriff Marine Division responded, along with Port Huron Police and the Fire Department. Port Huron Police Sgt. James Gilbert tells the Blackburn News that the man refused help and swam to shore himself.

He exited the water near Pine Grove Park in Port Huron. The London, England resident told authorities he wanted to come to the U.S. to get a work visa.

The man, whose name has not been released, was taken into custody by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. He was first taken to the hospital for evaluation and then deported back to Canada. The news stories don't say, but I'm guessing the swimmer didn't have his passport tucked into his swim trunks - there's also the matter that the border between Canada and U.S. is still closed until at least June 21 for all "non-essential" travel.

Sanilac Broadcasting calls the swim from Canada to Michigan by way of the St. Clair River "challenging" and reports there was a strong current near the Blue Water Bridge that day. The St. Clair river is approximately 40 miles long and flows from Lake Huron into Lake St. Clair into Lake Eerie, forming part of the international boundary between Ontario and the east side of Michigan.