The greatest number of Indian nationals who illegally entered or attempted to illegally enter into the U.S. came through Canada this year under the Biden-Harris and Justin Trudeau administrations, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data.
Historically, the majority have been reported at the US-Mexico border. This year, for this first time, the majority came through the northern border.
This fiscal year through July, over 35,000 Indian illegal border crossers were reported at the US-Canada border compared to over 22,000 at the US-Mexico border.
Overall, since fiscal 2021, Indian illegal border crossers nationwide total 266,592, excluding those who evaded capture referred to as gotaways. This is the greatest number reported in U.S. history under any administration.
The numbers are consistent with the greatest number of illegal border crossers ever reported at the northern border in U.S. history under the Biden-Harris administration, with each year and each month breaking records since 2021, The Center Square first reported.
Despite claims that the border is secure, every month and every year, the busiest northern border CBP sector breaks records. This fiscal year, in less than 10 months, 15,000 illegal border crossers from 85 countries came through Canada in the Swanton Sector, the greatest volume reported in this time period in recorded history, The Center Square reported.
So far, the greatest number of Indian illegal border crossers nationwide were reported in fiscal 2023 of 96,917. This year’s fiscal numbers could surpass last year’s. This fiscal year through July, more than 75,000 Indian illegal border crossers nationwide have been reported, up from nearly 64,000 in fiscal 2022 and over 30,600 in fiscal 2021. The overwhelming majority are single adults.
In fiscal 2023, the greatest number were reported in a single year of 41,770 at the US-Mexico border. By comparison, more than 30,000 were reported at the US-Canada border that year.
CBP data doesn’t just include northern and southwest border data; it includes data from seaports and airports nationwide and U.S. territories. Solely comparing northern and southwest border data doesn’t tell the whole story for any demographic.
For example, Indian illegal border crosser data is comparable at both borders in fiscal 2022 and 2021, but both totals are less than illegal entries reported elsewhere nationwide.
More than 18,300 were reported at the southwest border and 17,300 at the northern border in fiscal 2022 – less than the more than 28,000 CBP reported elsewhere nationwide.
In fiscal 2021, more than 2,500 were reported at the southwest border and 2,225 at the northern border – far less than nearly 26,000 CBP reported elsewhere nationwide.
The data also excludes those being released into the country through the CBP One app and through other parole programs Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas created. House Republicans impeached him for the programs and multiple states sued to stop them, arguing they are illegal.
India’s Firstpost America broadcast also picked up on the northern border data after extensive reporting by The Center Square.
“The US-Canada border has become a new hotspot for undocumented Indian immigrants, surpassing the numbers seen at the US-Mexico border,” it reported. “In June 2024 alone, over 5,000 Indians crossed from Canada into the US on foot.”
“For the first time ever, a higher number of Indian immigrants have entered than the Mexican one,” anchor Eric Ham said. The news outlet also notes, “Canada’s role in this surge cannot be overlooked. This surge is largely attributed to Canada’s previously relaxed visa policies, which drew a significant number of Indian students and migrants.”
After the Trudeau government in Canada relaxed its visa policies in 2016, Canada saw a 61% surge of international students from 2018 to 2022, Firstpost reported. Those receiving visas reportedly attempted illegal entry or claimed asylum in the U.S. or UK, prompting U.S. and British authorities to urge Canadian authorities “to tighten its visa screening processes amid rising security concerns. As the northern border sees record crossings, international immigration dynamics are shifting, presenting new challenges for all involved nations,” Firstpost reported.
Despite Canadian authorities telling The Center Square, “The Canada-U.S. border is the best-managed and most secure border in the world,” numerous U.S. authorities disagree.
Congressional Republicans have demanded enhanced northern border security measures, raising terrorism concerns due to Canadian visa policies. Canadian officials have also expressed alarm about terrorist threats stemming from Trudeau visa policies. Despite Canadian officials claiming it has a strong vetting process, the Trudeau government granted citizenship to an ISIS member and Iranians and Pakistanis living in Canada have been arrested for alleged terrorist ties or allegedly plotting attacks in the U.S.
This is after the greatest number of US terrorist watch-listed individuals have been apprehended by US authorities at the US-Canada border and the greatest number of Canadian illegal border crossers have been reported since fiscal 2021 in U.S. history.
Several retired CBP officials have pointed out that the majority of Canadian illegal border crossers are likely not native-born Canadians but are foreign nationals who received Canadian travel documents. Canadian citizens for years have legally traveled to the U.S. for work and as tourists.
