The Canada-U.S. border has experienced a notable rise in illegal immigration by Indian nationals into the United States in recent years. Data from US Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) shows that Indian nationals accounted for 22% of encounters at the northern border in 2023.
USCBP data, which operates on a financial year from October to September, reveals that in 2022, there were 109,535 attempted illegal crossings, with Indian nationals comprising nearly 16%. The figures increased in 2023 to 189,402 crossings, including 30,010 Indian nationals. In the current year, 43,764 Indian nationals were apprehended—close to 22% of the 198,929 total crossings. While these numbers remain lower than those for migrants from Latin America and the Caribbean, Indian nationals have emerged as the largest group of extra-hemispheric migrants at the US border over the past four years. However, these statistics reflect only apprehensions, making the number of successful crossings unclear.
Trump’s Stance on Border Issues
Even before assuming office on January 20, 2025, Donald Trump warned Canada to address the border situation or face a 25% tariff. This topic was reportedly discussed during Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s surprise visit to Mar-a-Lago in Florida, where he joined Trump for Thanksgiving. Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, responsible for managing the USCBP’s Canadian counterpart, also attended the meeting. Trudeau later posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Thanks for dinner last night, President Trump. I look forward to the work we can do together, again.”
Why Indian Migrants Use This Route
Russell A. Stamets, Partner at Circle of Counsels, explained the economic motivations behind such migrations. He highlighted stark income disparities, with India’s per capita income being a fraction of the US average, driving individuals to seek better opportunities.
Canada’s Visa Accessibility
The Niskanen Center, a Washington DC-based think tank, pointed out that Canada’s more streamlined visa process and the US-Canada border’s relatively open nature make it an attractive transit point. The average processing time for a Canadian visitor visa is 76 days compared to nearly a year for US visa appointments.
Punjab’s Migrant Influence and the Khalistan Issue
The think tank also noted that many irregular migrants from India originate from Punjab, a Sikh-majority state, and are often granted asylum in the US. This pattern could lead to future trilateral tensions. However, Indian policymakers appear to view these migrations as economically driven rather than politically motivated.
Visa Delays and Economic Factors
Asha Kiran Sharma of King Stubb & Kasiva cited visa delays and green card backlogs as key factors prompting Indians to use alternative routes. Economic challenges, such as unemployment or discrimination, further push individuals to seek opportunities abroad, sometimes at great personal cost.
Biden’s Policies and Canada’s Economic Challenges
Ajay Sharma of Abhinav Immigration Services attributed the trend to relatively open border policies during the Biden administration. He also highlighted Canada’s economic struggles—marked by housing crises, inflation, and recession—which have led temporary residents to consider moving to the US.
Role of Smuggling Networks
Organized smuggling networks are instrumental in facilitating these crossings. These networks exploit surveillance gaps and promote the northern border as a viable option through social media and word-of-mouth, noted Kiran Sharma.
