Indian migrants fuel spike in illegal crossings at northern US border

Sep 10

Lauren Taylor Anchor

By Lauren Taylor (Anchor), Alex Delia (Reporter), Jack Henry (Video Editor)

Indian migrants are driving a sharp increase in illegal crossings at the U.S.-Canada border. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported nearly 20,000 migrant encounters this year, marking a 95% surge compared to 2023.

Nearly 60% of these encounters involved Indian nationals, highlighting a growing trend in illegal immigration from India.

Many Indian migrants enter the U.S. through Canada, taking advantage of its lenient immigration policies, before heading south in search of higher-paying jobs and better economic opportunities.

Indian drivers, part of an informal economy, are charging between $150 and $300 to transport migrants from upstate New York to New York City.

A 20-year-old Indian driver who recently crossed illegally into the U.S., said migrants choose the northern border because of perceived safety compared to southern routes through Central America or the Mexican desert. Although crossing the border through dense forests is dangerous, it is viewed as less hazardous than other migration paths.

The number of Indian migrants crossing into the U.S. hit an all-time high in June 2024, with 3,600 crossings recorded that month.

As the surge in northern border crossings continues, it’s placing strain on local communities and border security.

Tags: Canada, Immigration, India, U.S. Customs and Border Protection

LAUREN TAYLOR: A SURGE OF INDIAN MIGRANTS IS DRIVING AN UNPRECEDENTED INCREASE IN ILLEGAL CROSSINGS AT THE NORTHERN U.S. BORDER… OVERWHELMING LOCAL RESOURCES, AND RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT SECURITY.

U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION REPORTS A 95-PERCENT INCREASE IN ENCOUNTERS AT THE NORTHERN BORDER THIS YEAR, WITH NEARLY 60-PERCENT OF THOSE BEING INDIAN NATIONALS. MANY OF THESE MIGRANTS HAVE CROSSED INTO THE U.S. FROM CANADA, SEEKING BETTER ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES.

IN PLATTSBURGH, NEW YORK… THE INFLUX HAS LED TO A BOOMING INFORMAL ECONOMY.
MIGRANTS ARRIVING IN THIS SMALL CITY ARE MET BY FELLOW NATIONALS OPERATING TAXIS, AND OFFERING RIDES TO NEW YORK CITY
FARES RANGE FROM 150 TO 300 DOLLARS AS DEMAND GROWS.

WITH NEARLY 20-THOUSAND ENCOUNTERS RECORDED SO FAR THIS YEAR IN UPSTATE NEW YORK… THE RECENT SURGE IS STRAINING LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND BORDER SECURITY. OFFICIALS ARE CURRENTLY DEVELOPING PLANS TO MANAGE THE SITUATION.

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FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS– I’M LAUREN TAYLOR.