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Canadian officials are bracing for a surge of migrants crossing the US-Canada border as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to implement mass deportation policies and tighten immigration controls.
Something you should know before you read: President-elect Donald Trump has announced sweeping plans to intensify deportation efforts, aiming to target millions of undocumented immigrants in the United States. His proposed measures include leveraging federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and military resources to locate and remove individuals, particularly those with criminal records. Official estimates suggest there are approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants in the US, though some unofficial figures place the number as high as 20 million. This initiative marks one of the largest domestic deportation efforts in American history.
What’s the deal: Ahead of Trump’s presidency, Canadian officials are preparing for a potential surge of migrants crossing the U.S.-Canada border by implementing significant measures to manage the anticipated influx. Plans include increasing the number of border patrol agents and vehicles, particularly along vulnerable areas such as the border between New York state and Quebec. Emergency reception facilities are being set up to provide immediate resources for incoming migrants, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is enhancing its readiness to handle a spike in border crossings.
Additionally, Canadian authorities are exploring ways to strengthen the existing “safe third country” agreement with the US, which allows for the return of asylum-seekers to the country they entered from, ensuring border management remains orderly and sustainable.
Digging Deeper: Canada’s immigration policy is undergoing significant adjustments as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government seeks to balance population growth, labor needs, and public support. After initially proposing an annual intake of 500,000 new permanent residents, Trudeau recently announced reductions to these targets, scaling back to 396,000 in 2025. The move comes amid criticism that previous levels were unsustainable and strained public resources.
