With President Donald Trump back in office, the U.S. is seeing a new migration trend—more migrants are now crossing into Canada from the United States than heading south into the U.S., according to Homeland Security sources.
Migrants, many of whom are fearful of Trump’s stricter immigration policies and mass deportation plans, are choosing to self-deport and flee to Canada in hopes of finding safer ground.
Migrants Choosing to Escape North
Homeland Security officials say there are “lots of northbounders”—migrants who are voluntarily leaving the U.S. and illegally crossing into Canada.
In Washington state, border agents report an average of five illegal crossings north into Canada daily.
Even before Trump resumed full control of immigration policies, these northbound crossings had begun to increase.
In January, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) reported 40 illegal crossings from Washington into British Columbia, while U.S. border agents saw 30 migrants crossing south during the same time.
Many of these migrants are in the U.S. on temporary immigration status, often awaiting decisions in court. Fearing their cases will be denied under Trump’s tough policies, they are trying to reach Canada before being detained or deported.
Dangerous Journeys Through Harsh Conditions
Migrants aren’t just using common border checkpoints—they’re also taking risky paths through remote areas of the 5,500-mile U.S.-Canada border.
In Alberta, Canadian authorities found nine migrants, including children, attempting to cross the border during harsh winter conditions in February, according to the New York Times.
So far this year, about 20 illegal migrants have been caught in Alberta alone, compared to only seven in the same period last year.
A Big Shift from the Biden Era
During the Biden administration, the U.S. saw a sharp rise in illegal entries from Canada into the U.S.
- In 2023, U.S. Border Patrol agents caught 23,700 illegal migrants crossing south from Canada
- In 2022, that number was only 2,200
Even with this increase, the numbers are still far less than the more than one million migrants caught entering from the U.S.-Mexico southern border last year.
U.S. Pressures Canada to Step Up
The Trump administration has pressured Canada to tighten its border security, warning of possible 25% tariffs if the migrant flow and illegal drug trafficking, including fentanyl, isn’t brought under control.
In response, Canada has begun to act:
- Tighter visa restrictions to stop migrants from flying into Canada and crossing into the U.S.
- Increased border security, including plans to spend $900 million
- Purchase of two Black Hawk helicopters and drones
- Crackdown on fraudulent asylum claims, as Canadian authorities are now reviewing applications more closely
A source from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said Canada is holding up its end of the deal by making it harder for migrants to exploit the system.