The keen insights of visionary President-elect Donald Trump once again reveal truths that others overlook. His recent focus on rampant immigration not only from Mexico but also from our often overlooked northern partner, Canada, exposes a vital issue. Trump utilized the online honesty hub, Truth Social, to lay bare a heavy influx of individuals via these routes, resulting in unprecedented escalations of crime and drug issues. Not one to rest on just pointing out the problem, Trump offered a solution in the form of a substantial 25% tariff on all incoming goods from these countries.
Let’s zone in on the situation brewing at the northern American frontier. Even though illegal entrances have been recorded at an increased rate there, the numbers continue to be vastly overshadowed by those from the southern border which is a known area of concern thanks to President Trump’s consistent and dedicated efforts to keep America secure. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, over 23,000 detentions were made at the northern border during the 2024 fiscal year, spanning from October 2023 to September.
Turning back the pages of recent history, it’s revealing to see how this issue has ballooned over time. Fiscal records indicate a surge from barely 2,000 apprehensions in 2022 to approximately 10,000 the following year. The escalation continues, concretely proving the validity of President-elect Trump’s point. The primary hotbed for these detentions has been identified as the Swanton Sector, nestled between Quebec and the states of Vermont, New Hampshire, and New York.
However, the number of arrests made on the northern border paves the way to an even more alarming situation down south. A staggering record was set last December with nearly a quarter-million arrests made in that month alone. As a result of a restrictive asylum order put in motion by President Biden in June, the influx began to gradually decelerate to around 56,000 arrests in October following its peak.
Interestingly, the majority of illegal immigrants attempting this northern route are of Indian nationality. Officials from both Canada and America suggest that the significant uptick in illicit border crossings from this demographic may be fueled by those who initially gain entry to Canada through temporary visas, as tourists or other short-term visitors. They then use Canada as a stepping stone to their ultimate destination: the United States.
The Indian community forms a significant proportion of newer immigrants to Canada; a testament to the result of aggressive outreach by Canadian employers and academic institutions, especially amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. While a large number of these newcomers inevitably choose to put down roots in Canada, it’s evident that a significant number still aim for the U.S as their ultimate destination.
Given this alarming situation, the U.S. federal government has upped its game in tackling the issue. Measures include deploying more staff to monitor trouble spots, transferring more immigrants into Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody, and amending the rules for asylum application processing.
Stemming the tide of illicit entries isn’t solely an American struggle. Indeed, both the United States and Canada had jointly inked a deal almost two decades ago, known as the Safe Third Country Agreement. This deal allows either country to reject asylum seekers, reinforcing shared control over irregular immigration.
In 2023, the Safe Third Country Agreement was expanded to encompass the entirety of the land border and internal waterways. Alongside this change, starting from August, U.S. officials have slashed the time for migrants to secure legal representation and provide evidence to dodge deportation back to Canada.
Since these measures were put in place, more than 400 hopeful migrants, predominantly of Indian nationalities, were returned to Canadian soil in the latter half of August. As an indicator of the severity of the situation, arrests from illicit entries from Canada saw an alarming spike, reaching 3,600 individuals in June alone, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Despite proactive measures, border apprehensions from Canada showed no sign of complete cessation, with around 1,800 arrests in September, followed by 1,300 more in October. However, staunch supporters of American security can rest easier with the knowledge that the incoming Trump administration has taken note of these pressing issues.
With Trump in charge, we can expect an undeterred focus on remedying the loophole at the U.S-Canada border. Our President-elect’s solution wise and robust: applying a 25% tariff on all incoming goods from these countries. It aims to impact the economic implications of illegal immigration, thereby pressuring our neighbors to tighten their border controls as well.
Creating solutions for America’s challenges is par for the course for the seasoned leader like Trump. Even in the face of scant attention from the previous administration, he remains steadfast in his commitment to safeguard American security. Rest assured, his solution-oriented leadership will once again lead America through the pressing issues of our time.