Record-Breaking Surge in Illegal Crossings: Indians Opt for Canada-US Border Over Mexico Route

Recent data reveals a significant shift in illegal migration patterns, with Indians now favoring the Canada-US border over the traditional Mexico route. This trend, which has been steadily rising since December 2023, has brought the spotlight onto Canada’s visa screening and border security measures.

According to the latest figures from the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a record 5,152 Indians attempted to illegally enter the United States through the Canada border on foot in June alone. This marks a notable increase compared to the Mexico border route, highlighting a dramatic shift in migration trends.

The US-Canada border, which stretches over 9,000 kilometers, is the longest open border in the world—more than double the length of the US-Mexico border. Recent CBP data underscores this shift, revealing a 47% increase in encounters with Indians at the US-Canada border between January and June 2024, rising from 2,548 incidents in the same period last year to 3,733. This marks a staggering 13-fold increase compared to 2021.

This escalation in undocumented Indian migration is not an isolated phenomenon. In fiscal year 2023, US border agents recorded nearly 97,000 encounters with undocumented Indian migrants across the country, including over 30,000 at the Canadian border. The period between October 2023 and February 2024 alone saw approximately 14,000 Indians intercepted at this border.

Indians now constitute the third-largest group of undocumented immigrants in the US. A Pew Research report from 2021 estimated that there were around 725,000 undocumented Indians in the US. The preference for the Canada route can be attributed to several factors. An immigration consultant, speaking to Indian Express, explained, “Canada provides a relatively accessible visa and a more lenient border, making it a safer alternative compared to the perilous routes through West Asia, Africa, or the Caribbean to the heavily guarded Mexico border.”

Political scientist Shinder Purewal also highlighted that many individuals seek Canadian visas with the intent of crossing into the US. Despite its perceived safety, the Canada route is fraught with risks. In February 2022, a tragic incident occurred when an Indian family of four was found dead near the US-Canada border after a failed attempt to cross during a blizzard. The family, originally from Gujarat, had become separated from their group and succumbed to the harsh weather conditions.

The influx of Indian students in Canada further complicates the issue. In 2023, nearly 319,000 Indian students were studying in Canada. However, the Canadian government, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, recently reduced the number of approved study permits to about 360,000—a 35% decrease from the previous year. Additionally, Trudeau announced a reduction in the temporary foreign worker visa program last week.

The majority of those attempting illegal entry into the US through Canada are reportedly from Gujarat and Punjab. US investigators recently uncovered a smuggling network involving Gujarati migrants being transported from the Canadian border to businesses owned by the Gujarati American community in Chicago. The success of previous migrants often motivates others to undertake the perilous journey. NBC’s Gaurav Khanna observed, “People from Punjab frequently know others who have made the journey, which creates a ripple effect of migration.”

Many of those making this risky journey come from middle-class families who invest their savings, often selling land, to secure a better future in the US. They hope that working in America will offer improved wages and greater opportunities for their children.

This evolving migration pattern underscores the need for enhanced border management and visa screening processes to address the increasing numbers of undocumented migrants entering the US through Canada.