Janice R. Andrews
SAINT-GEORGES-DE-CLARENCEVILLE (Reuters) – Canada’s pledge to tighten border security under pressure from Donald Trump faces significant challenges. Six concrete barriers on a rural road mark an effort to deter vehicle crossings into the U.S., but these barriers fail to stop foot traffic.
“People can still hop over them,” says Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Sergeant Daniel Dubois.
While Canada has ramped up surveillance with additional cameras and sensors, the vast 4,000-mile Canada-U.S. border poses logistical difficulties. “Even if we were everywhere, we couldn’t stop it,” admits RCMP spokesperson Charles Poirier.
In the 12 months ending in October, Canadian authorities turned back around 1,000 individuals attempting illegal crossings into Canada, while U.S. Customs and Border Patrol apprehended over 23,000 at the northern border. Yet, recent trends show more southbound crossings, potentially linked to Trump’s promised deportations.
Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller acknowledges the “credibility challenge” of ensuring the U.S. trusts Canada’s border management. While technology upgrades and increased patrolling are part of the plan, experts doubt their effectiveness.
At least nine migrants have died near the Quebec-New York border since 2023, raising concerns that stricter policies only increase risks. “You are pushing people to risk it,” says Carlos Rojas Salazar of Action Refugies.
Some specialists argue that stopping migrants at entry points, such as airports, could be more effective than border measures. Canada has recently tightened visa approvals and entry restrictions but faces scrutiny over whether these steps will satisfy Trump.
Citizen surveillance adds another dimension. U.S. resident Terry Rowe, living near the Canadian border, has captured videos of migrants crossing through his property. He reports increasing northbound crossings. “It’s reversed, and I think it’s going to pick up,” Rowe says.
Canadian law enforcement is preparing for a potential surge in migration amid Trump’s threat of mass deportations. However, whether these efforts will manage the border effectively remains uncertain.
