The number of Indian immigrants crossing the US border with Canada has increased.

At the northern border, 22% of encounters involved Indian nationals.

The number of Indian immigrants crossing the US border with Canada has increased.
The number of Indian immigrants crossing the US border with Canada has increased.

The number of illegal immigrants from India attempting to cross the U.S. border with Canada has increased in recent years.

In fiscal 2024, approximately 44,000 Indian nationals tried to cross the U.S.-Canadian border illegally, compared to 30,000 in fiscal 2023 and 17,331 in fiscal 2022, according to the latest data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection portal.

In fiscal 2024, approximately 22% of the 198,929 total land border encounters at the U.S.-Canada border were with Indian nationals.

President-elect Trump and Canadian Prime Minster Justin Trudeau
President-elect Trump and Canadian Prime Minster Justin Trudeau (Getty Images)

As President-elect Trump prepares for his second term, renewed promises of border security remain a key selling point.

On Friday, Justin Trudeau visited Trump at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, and the two leaders had a productive conversation about border security.

Trump wrote on Truth Social Saturday that he and others discussed crucial issues that necessitate cooperation between the two countries, including the fentanyl and drug crisis caused by illegal immigration, fair trade agreements that safeguard American workers, and the significant trade deficit the U.S. has with Canada.

"I made it clear that the United States will no longer tolerate the drug epidemic, which is mainly caused by drug cartels and fentanyl coming from China, resulting in too much death and hardship for our citizens."

People cross the U.S.-Canadian border in Blaine, Wash., Aug. 9, 2021.
People cross the U.S.-Canadian border in Blaine, Wash., Aug. 9, 2021. (Reuters/David Ryder)

The Financial Times reported in September that the Canadian government has tightened its border policies due to strained relations with the U.S., beginning with a restriction on its worker visa program.

"The founder and CEO of One9, Glenn Cowan, stated that U.S. lawmakers are seeking to strengthen the northern border with Canada due to concerns about illegal immigration from Canada. He added that reducing the number of visas issued would improve U.S.-Canada relations."

As the Canadian government prepares to collaborate with Trump again, the importance of that work may increase, given Trump's past threats to impose tariffs on both Canada and Mexico.

A Canadian Customs and Fisheries officer watches over the U.S.-Canada border between Blaine, Wash., and White Rock, British Columbia. (Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images/File)
A Canadian Customs and Fisheries officer watches over the U.S.-Canada border between Blaine, Wash., and White Rock, British Columbia. (Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images/File)

On Saturday, Trump did not confirm whether tariffs were still being considered after his talks with Trudeau, although he stated that the two leaders discussed energy, trade, and Arctic relations.

Trump stated that he will address vital issues on his first days back in office, and before.

by Michael Lee

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