Canada prepares for a migration influx following Trump’s November 5 victory, propped on his campaign pledge of mass deportation of undocumented people. The re-elected US president’s aggressive stance against undocumented immigrants and migration is a promise to America that Donald Trump says has “no price tag” and one that has incited major fear within those targeted.
Mass deportation chants are common at Trump campaign events. Source: Getty Images
The Royal Canadian Military Police (RCMP) are forecasting a similar response to the last Trump victory back in 2017. The summer proceeding the administration change saw thousands of migrants crossing north, in search of sanctuary in Canada. Although more open to immigration than the Trump administration, Canada is likewise trying to reduce migration. The RCMP has offered Canadians reassurance and claim that they have a plan to deal with an increase in border crossings, along the world’s largest land border.
Crossings into Canada occur at both official ports of entry like airports or established border crossings as well as irregular border crossings which are defined as crossings between official points of entry. Another important implication of irregular crossings is that they are not evenly dispersed along the border with most migrants crossing into the province of Quebec. Specifically, many migrants were crossing into Quebec at Roxham Road. This has left provincial forces concerned as migration is part of the federal responsibilities yet Quebec has voiced intent to send additional forces to secure the border.
Immigrants crossing at Roxham Road while an RCMP officer looks on. Source: Charles Contant CBC
One support that Canada has in place is the Safe Third Country Agreement, a policy that prevents asylum seekers from being eligible to make a claim if entering Canada via the US (or in the US if entering from Canada). Last year the policy’s loophole was amended between Biden and Trudeau so that it applies not only to those using official border crossings but all migrant crossings. Since the amendment, claims made at unofficial crossings have dropped considerably as without the ability to claim asylum migrants fleeing the US no longer have an incentive to report to authorities.
The additional migration pressure comes at an especially inopportune moment as Canada has recently readdressed their immigration plan to reduce the immigration levels from 2025 to 2027 with the aim of a marginal population decline of 0.2% over the next two years. This population decline includes reducing the humanitarian and refugee stream of immigration by 17% and thus making legal means of entry even less of a possibility. Many experts fear, yet expect that migrants will take increasingly dangerous routes to avoid authorities with their options being increasingly restricted to claim asylum.
Canada has seen a recent backlash against immigration, resulting in Federal policy changes. Source: Dominion Review
The increase in those wanting to migrate to Canada also includes citizens and permanent residents of the United States. Following the US presidential election results last Wednesday, Canada’s immigration department has experienced an “increase in web traffic originating from the United States”, as reported by spokesperson Julie Lafortune.
The RCMP also expects a delayed response in the wake of Trump’s election, depending on whether his words are transformed into policy change and action. Sargent Charles Poirier of the RCMP said in an interview that they are ready for a range of scenarios “whether it be just a few individuals or a massive influx.”
Featured image: RCMP warns families entering Quebec, Canada via New York state that they are entering outside an official entry point and must present themselves to Border Crossing. Source: Daniel Case
