Law enforcement agencies remain cautious even though illegal crossings at the U.S.-Canada border are slowing down. Migrants face harsh conditions and rely on smugglers linked to cartels. Trump’s border policies press Canada to increase security; however, experts doubt the long-term effectiveness as smuggling networks remain active.
Temporary Decline in Northern Border Crossings
According to Sheriff David Favor from Clinton County, the U.S.-Canada border has shown a recent slowdown, particularly in the Swanton Sector, where 19,000 migrants were apprehended last year – the highest number of illegal crossings in nearly two decades.
Despite the decline, Favro warns that this could only be temporary and emphasizes that law enforcement stays vigilant for potential increases.
Illegal Migrants Endure Tough Conditions to Cross the Border
While the southern border is known for its illegal crossings, the northern border has challenges. Last year, more than 80% of migrant apprehensions at the U.S.-Canada border occurred in the Swanton Sector, with individuals from 97 countries, mainly India and Mexico, attempting to cross. Many of whom traveled through extreme winter conditions.
Authorities regularly get called for help from stranded migrants suffering from frostbite and hypothermia. There was a case of a group of Haitian migrants, including a 9-year-old girl, who got lost in the woods and required urgent treatment. Last month, a migrant from Spain nearly lost his fingers to a frostbite.
Sadly, not all migrants make it out alive. In 2023, a pregnant woman died after hiring a smuggler to guide her across the border through heavy snow.
Smugglers Exploit Illegal Migrants
Smugglers have taken to social media, particularly TikTok and Facebook, to promote supposed safe illegal entry into the U.S. Desperation has pushed many migrants to invest thousands of dollars for dangerous and illegal crossings.
Investigations have linked these operations to the Sinaloa Cartel amongst others. A smuggler known as revealed that illegal migrants pay around $3,000 to cross into the U.S. Those who cannot pay in full may be held hostage until they do.
He further explained that some smugglers offer discounts for children and have helped families with infants as young as three months old across the border as reported by CBS news.
Trump’s Border Crackdown and Canada’s Response
President Trump has tied economic measures to border security, urging Mexico and Canada to ramp up immigration enforcement. In response, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney launched a nearly $1 billion security initiative, which includes increasing personnel, deploying helicopters and drones, and appointing a fentanyl czar to address drug trafficking. However, experts argue that Canada lacks the extensive border enforcement infrastructure seen in the U.S., making it difficult to curb illegal crossings effectively.
Smuggling Continues Despite Increased Security
Despite increased enforcement, smugglers claim their operations remain largely unaffected. Some smugglers insist that human smuggling will persist as long as there is demand.
Last year, U.S. authorities seized only 43 pounds of fentanyl at the northern border compared to over 21,000 pounds at the southern border, however officials remain concerned about cartel activity.
Looking Ahead: Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Reaches Northern Border – Here’s How Migrants Respond
With immigration policy at the forefront of political debates, the effectiveness of Trump’s border crackdown remains uncertain. As Canadian authorities bolster security measures, smuggling networks continue to adapt. Whether these efforts will deter illegal crossings in the long term remains to be seen.
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