Canadian Border is An ‘Extreme’ Vulnerability, says Trump’s Border Czar

Tom Homan, the newly appointed head of U.S. border policy, has identified the Canada-U.S. border as a pressing national security concern, promising immediate action upon the Republican administration’s transition to power. Homan, who is set to lead border initiatives under President-elect Donald Trump, recently expressed his intention to address vulnerabilities he perceives along the northern border.

In an interview with 7News in Watertown, New York, Homan described the Canada-U.S. border as a “huge national security issue” due to the limited number of officers available for enforcement. He voiced concern over the use of Canada as an entry route by “special interest aliens”—individuals from nations the U.S. identifies as terror sponsors.

Border apprehensions across the U.S.-Canada boundary remain significantly lower than those along the U.S.-Mexico border. However, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data indicate a surge in human smuggling incidents, particularly in the Swanton Sector—covering areas in New York, Vermont, and parts of eastern Ontario and Quebec. Between October 2022 and October 2023, CBP reported over 19,000 apprehensions, a number surpassing totals from the prior 17 years combined. Robert Garcia, the sector’s Chief Patrol Agent, attributed this increase to intensified smuggling operations, which have sparked discussions among U.S. officials about bolstering border security measures with Canada.

Homan, a native of West Carthage, New York, noted that Canada must address any gaps in immigration policy that could potentially enable illegal entry into the U.S. He added that cooperation with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would be crucial to ensuring security standards on both sides of the border.

Responding to Homan’s comments, Gabriel Brunet, a spokesperson for Canada’s Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, emphasized the commitment of Canadian law enforcement to maintaining border integrity, noting that they work “day in and day out” alongside U.S. counterparts. Brunet further underscored Canada’s dedication to fostering a productive relationship with the incoming U.S. administration.

Pressure from the U.S. over irregular migration influenced Canada’s decision earlier this year to reinstate visa requirements for Mexican nationals—a move intended to curb unauthorized crossings into the northeastern U.S. According to CBP, individuals from India now represent the largest group entering the U.S. irregularly from Canada, signaling a shift in migration patterns across the northern border.

The rise in smuggling operations has drawn criticism from Canada’s Conservative party. Immigration critic Tom Kmiec pointed to security lapses, arguing that the government’s handling of visa policies and border security has been inadequate. Kmiec highlighted recent cases involving individuals accused of terror-linked plots in Canada, alleging weak oversight on the part of the current administration.