Thousands of migrants, mostly from Haiti, are making their way to Canada out of fear of deportation under President Trump’s administration, causing a sharp rise in asylum requests not seen in years.
In just the first two weeks of April, over 1,400 migrants attempted to cross into Canada via upstate New York, according to the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA). That’s more than the entire month of March, which already showed a major increase compared to earlier months.
More Migrants Trying to Cross the Border — Legally and Illegally
These numbers only include those who turned themselves in to Canadian authorities to claim asylum. Many more are believed to have crossed the largely unguarded border illegally, without being recorded.
Most of these migrants are Haitians hoping to settle in French-speaking Quebec, where the language and culture are more familiar.
Canada Changes Its Tone: “We Can’t Accept Everyone”
Unlike during Trump’s first term, when former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau welcomed migrants with open arms, Canada’s current leadership is taking a tougher stance.
“We have to be human – but realistic. Canada can’t accept everyone,” said Mark Carney, the new Prime Minister, during a recent debate in Montreal.
So far in 2025, 1,130 asylum seekers have been sent back to the U.S. under Canadian law.
Why the Surge Is Happening Now
The increase in migrants follows President Trump’s plans to remove legal protections for about 530,000 people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. These individuals were protected under a Biden-era program called the CHNV parole scheme, which allowed them to stay temporarily in the U.S. for humanitarian reasons.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced it is ending the CHNV program, arguing there’s no longer a humanitarian reason to keep them in the U.S.
While a Boston federal judge blocked the program’s immediate termination through a preliminary injunction, the DHS says it will continue using all legal means to end it.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin called the program “an unlawful scheme” that allowed “poorly vetted aliens” into the country, claiming it undermined U.S. immigration policies.
What Stops Migrants From Claiming Asylum in Canada?
Thanks to the Safe Third Country Agreement between the U.S. and Canada, people can’t legally claim asylum in Canada if they entered through the U.S., since both countries are considered safe. Migrants must claim asylum in the first safe country they arrive in — usually the U.S..
Exceptions are only made for those who have a close family member who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Canada Stepping Up Border Enforcement
The Canadian Border Services Agency has confirmed it is increasing deportations and has added extra resources to manage the sharp rise in border crossings.
“The CBSA has increased removals of inadmissible people from Canada – the most in a decade,” the agency said.
Migrants who don’t qualify for an exception will be immediately returned to the U.S.