Two Canadian teenagers found unexpected trouble over the weekend while playing Pokémon Go, the augmented-reality mobile-based video game that is taking the world by storm. While immersed in the virtual world, they were apprehended illegally crossing the border into the United States.
With the mobile gaming application installed on a smartphone, players walk around their real-world environment looking for the virtual imaginary creatures known as Pokémon, that appear on the phone’s screen. Players can catch these Pokémon, and use their team of captured creatures to fight battles with other players. Numerous stories have surfaced since the game’s launch of players ignoring their surroundings while focused on the pursuit of the virtual monsters, sometimes at the risk of personal safety.
For the two teenagers from Alberta, Canada, such stories became reality when a U.S. Border Patrol officer in the state of Montana caught them walking across on foot. Officials stated that the boys were briefly detained while their mother was contacted. In a statement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman Michael Rappold said, “Both juveniles were so captivated by their Pokémon Go games that they lost track of where they were.” The exact location of the crossing was not released.
The Canada-U.S. border is the longest international border between two countries in the world. Large stretches are unmonitored by security personnel, due to rough terrain. However, it remains illegal to cross the border outside of designated crossing points.
Pokémon Go currently has limited availability outside North America and Europe. To find out your options for immigrating to Canada — one of over 30 countries worldwide where Pokémon Go is available — fill out a free online assessment form today.
