Shocking scenes have emerged as desperate migrants risk their lives attempting to cross into Canada in bone-chilling temperatures, prompting authorities to finally step up border security under pressure from President Donald Trump.
Canadian police intercepted two groups making the dangerous journey, including five children who were wearing inadequate clothing as temperatures plunged to -22F, according to The Guardian.
Officials warn of tragic consequences
Assistant Commissioner Lisa Moreland described the situation as “heartbreaking” and warned that it could have ended in tragedy.
The first group, consisting of nine Venezuelans, was found dragging suitcases through deep snow in Alberta under what officials called “incredibly cold” conditions.
In a separate incident, thermal cameras spotted six more migrants from Jordan, Sudan, Chad, and Mauritius hiding in a Manitoba forest, completely unprotected from the freezing temperatures.
Moreland recalled the tragic fate of the Patel family, who froze to death in 2022 while attempting to cross into Canada with their toddler and 11-year-old child.
Surge in illegal crossings
Border crossings into Canada have skyrocketed from 2,238 to 23,721 in just two years. Over one million arrests were made at the southern border last year alone.
The surge has forced Canada to act. Under pressure from Trump, the Canadian government approved a $900 million spending package to strengthen border security.
Canada ramps up border control
The massive investment includes two Black Hawk helicopters, high-tech surveillance drones, and an elite 50-strong armed sheriff patrol unit in Alberta, along with cutting-edge drug detection dogs.
Despite the new measures, some Canadian officials worry that Trump’s strong stance on immigration may be encouraging more illegal crossings.
“What we saw in the days and weeks after Trump won was fear mongering,” said Abdulla Daoud from the Refugee Centre in Montreal. “And none of that – the idea that hundreds of thousands would come to the border – has ever come to fruition.”
Record-breaking crossings on U.S.-Canada border
Canada is grappling with the challenge of securing its vast 5,500-mile border, particularly at Roxham Road, a hotspot for illegal crossings where nearly 40,000 migrants entered in 2022.
The crisis is also spilling into U.S. states. Last year, New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire recorded record numbers of illegal border crossings. More than 12,200 migrants were apprehended crossing illegally from Canada in 2023—over three times the number arrested the previous year.
Trump ramps up deportation efforts
Meanwhile, in the U.S., Trump has intensified efforts to crack down on illegal immigration.
Thousands of ICE officers were dispatched to the San Diego border for a massive migrant raid, with plans to deport 100,000 individuals back to Mexico and Central America.
The operation has been reinforced by 1,500 active-duty troops, including 500 Marines from Camp Pendleton. Reports suggest a “mile-long line of DHS trucks and CBP” is ready to execute one of the largest deportation operations in recent history.
Tom Homan pushes for more deportations
Border Czar Tom Homan has expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of migrant deportations, despite ICE’s record number of arrests.
“The U.S. needs to open the aperture up and carry out more deportations,” Homan stated, as the administration prepares for a sweeping crackdown on illegal immigration.
