The US-Canada border has witnessed a significant increase in illegal immigration by Indian nationals in recent years, a trend that has become a major issue between the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government.
Data from the US Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) reveals a sharp rise in illegal border crossings. In 2023, 43,764 Indians were apprehended while attempting to enter the United States without proper documentation, making up nearly 22% of the total 198,929 such attempts. This is a notable increase compared to previous years. In 2022, Indians accounted for around 16% of the total 109,535 attempted illegal entries. While the overall number of attempts increased in 2023 to 189,402, the share of Indians grew significantly, with 30,010 detected that year.
The figures represent only those who were apprehended by US border officers, and the number of undetected migrants remains unknown.
Factors Driving the Increase
Experts believe that several factors contribute to this rise. According to a September analysis by the Niskanen Center, Canada has become an easier point of entry for Indians due to shorter wait times for visitor visas. The average processing time for a Canadian visa is about 76 days, whereas it can take nearly a year for a US visa. Additionally, the US-Canada border is longer and less heavily monitored than the US-Mexico border, making it a more accessible route for migrants.
Another factor is the high rate of asylum granted to Indian nationals in the US, particularly those from Punjab, a region with a large Sikh population. Many of these migrants are believed to be driven by economic motives rather than political or separatist ambitions. The ongoing Khalistan issue could also be playing a role, with some migrants potentially seeking refuge due to political unrest in India. However, it is suggested that most of these migrants are unlikely to be involved in separatist politics once they settle in the US.
Diplomatic Tensions
The surge in illegal crossings has become a point of contention between Canada and the US. Donald Trump has repeatedly raised concerns about this issue, with Canadian authorities under pressure to address the situation. During a recent unannounced visit to Mar-a-Lago in Florida, Prime Minister Trudeau discussed the border issue with Trump ahead of the US Thanksgiving, accompanied by Canada’s Minister of Public Safety, Dominic LeBlanc. LeBlanc oversees the Canadian Border Services Agency, the counterpart to the USCBP.
Trump has warned that unless Canada takes action to resolve the border issue, the US may impose a 25% tariff on Canadian goods.
As this situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Canada will implement measures to curb the flow of illegal migrants and how the US will respond. For now, the US-Canada border continues to be a focal point for discussions between the two nations.
Related topics:
- Layoff Puts H1B Visa Holder at a Crucial Crossroads
- Keir Starmer: Tories’ ‘Open Borders Experiment’ Exposed by Record Migration Figures
- Vanuatu Citizens Lose Visa-Free Access to the European Union
