Canadian border prepares for spike in asylum seekers after Trump victory

Nov 7

Karah Rucker Reporter

By Karah Rucker (Reporter), Alex Delia (Producer), Zachary Hill (Video Editor)

Canada is preparing for a possible surge in asylum seekers as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s promised deportations of undocumented immigrants prompts fears of increased border crossings. Canadian officials are on alert, anticipating potential risks as harsher U.S. policies could drive more people to attempt dangerous, unauthorized crossings in winter.

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U.S. Border Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations have uncovered a sophisticated human smuggling ring at the U.S.-Canada border. — Getty Images

Canadian border agencies and immigration support groups expect that renewed U.S. deportation efforts may motivate asylum seekers to move north, particularly through unofficial crossings. The popular crossing at Roxham Road in Quebec, a former hub for asylum seekers in 2017, closed last year under a revised Safe Third Country Agreement, leaving would-be migrants with fewer options and likely pushing them to cross in remote, hazardous areas.

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The RCMP is preparing for scenarios that range from a small uptick in arrivals to a significant influx, and officials are concerned about increased risks in remote areas, especially as severe winter weather sets in. Immigration services in Montreal are also preparing for a possible increase in cases at airports and formal border crossings but warn that delays in work permits and claims processing may put further pressure on the system.

The potential for an increase in undocumented residents has raised broader policy questions as Canada considers its capacity to handle a growing number of immigrants without formal asylum claims. The situation has drawn attention from Quebec officials, who have urged federal leaders to strengthen border security and expedite immigration processes if crossings rise dramatically.

Canadian authorities remain vigilant and responsive to changing conditions, preparing to adapt if the U.S. policies lead to more migration pressures along the northern border.

Tags: Border, Border crossings, Border patrol, Canada, Donald Trump, Immigrant, Immigration

[Karah Rucker]

CANADA IS BRACING FOR A POTENTIAL RISE IN BORDER CROSSINGS, AS THE RE-ELECTION OF FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP THREATENS TO FUEL A SURGE IN ASYLUM SEEKERS. THIS COMES AS TRUMP REITERATES HIS PLAN TO DEPORT MILLIONS OF UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS UPON TAKING OFFICE IN JANUARY. BUT WHAT IMPACT WILL THIS HAVE ON CANADA’S BORDERS?

ROXHAM ROAD NEAR HEMMINGFORD, QUEBEC, BECAME A POPULAR ROUTE FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS IN 2017, AS THOUSANDS CROSSED INTO CANADA SEEKING REFUGE. BUT IN 2023, THAT CHANGED, WITH THE EXPANSION OF THE SAFE THIRD COUNTRY AGREEMENT, CLOSING THIS ROUTE FOR GOOD.

THE CHANGE FORCED MANY ASYLUM SEEKERS TO USE OFFICIAL ENTRY POINTS, SUCH AS AIRPORTS AND LAND BORDERS. BUT WITH TRUMP NOW PROMISING MASS DEPORTATIONS IN THE U-S… MANY FEAR CANADA MAY SOON SEE ANOTHER INCREASE IN ARRIVALS… THIS TIME IN MORE REMOTE AND DANGEROUS AREAS… AND SOME WARN THAT THIS COULD LEAD TO A RISE IN HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE ARE ON HIGH ALERT AS AUTHORITIES MONITOR THE SITUATION. THEY’RE PREPARING FOR ANY SCENARIO, WHETHER IT’S A TRICKLE OF PEOPLE OR A MASSIVE INFLUX.

CANADA’S IMMIGRATION SYSTEM IS ALREADY UNDER STRAIN, WITH DELAYS IN PROCESSING WORK PERMITS AND ASYLUM CLAIMS. IMMIGRATION POLICY EXPERTS BELIEVE THAT WHETHER OR NOT TRUMP FOLLOWS THROUGH ON HIS DEPORTATION PLANS… CANADA WILL NEED TO HAVE A BROADER DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW TO MANAGE THESE CHALLENGES IN THE COMING YEARS. SOME EXPECT TO SEE THE NUMBER OF UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE RISE BY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS.

CANADIAN OFFICIALS AND REFUGEE ORGANIZATIONS ARE PREPARING FOR WHAT COULD BE A DIFFICULT WINTER. WHILE THE FULL IMPACT OF A POTENTIAL SECOND TRUMP PRESIDENCY IS STILL UNCLEAR, MANY ARE BRACING FOR A SHIFT IN MIGRATION PATTERNS THAT COULD AFFECT CANADA’S BORDER POLICIES FOR YEARS TO COME.

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FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS… I’M KARAH RUCKER.