With Donald Trump’s U.S presidential election win and promises of a large-scale deportation push, Canadian police and migrant support groups are preparing for an increase in asylum seekers heading north.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has been devising contingency plans, particularly for Quebec, anticipating a possible rise in irregular migration, says RCMP Sergeant Charles Poirier.
“We knew a few months ago that we had to start prepping a contingency plan because if he comes into power, which now he will in a few months, it could drive illegal migration and irregular migration into (the province of) Quebec and into Canada.
“Worst-case scenario would be people crossing in large numbers everywhere on the territory.
“Let’s say we had 100 people per day entering across the border, then it’s going to be hard because our officers will basically have to cover huge distances in order to arrest everyone,” Poirier told Reuters.
Reflecting on the surge in 2017 during Trump’s previous term, when many asylum-seekers crossed unofficially through Roxham Road, Poirier noted that recent bilateral agreements have now closed off that route, applying strict requirements across the 4,000-mile U.S.-Canada border.
As a result, individuals aiming to enter Canada undetected face greater risks, including evading authorities for two weeks before making a claim – a dangerous reality, says Abdulla Daoud, director of Montreal’s Refugee Centre.
Should border crossings spike, the RCMP has plans to deploy hundreds of additional officers, increase vehicle patrols, and possibly establish temporary facilities at the border to manage the influx.
“All eyes are on the border right now. … We were on high alert, I can tell you, a few days before the election, and we’ll probably remain on alert for the next coming weeks,” Poirier said, highlighting the intense anticipation as Canadian authorities brace for potential immigration changes under Trump’s leadership.