Canada on 'High Alert' as US Border Braces For Migrant Surge Ahead Of Trump Presidency

Canadian authorities announced on Friday that they are on "high alert," monitoring the US border closely as the nation anticipates a potential influx of migrants from the United States.

US President-elect Donald Trump has pledged the largest mass deportation in American history, accusing immigrants of "poisoning the blood of our country," reported AFP.

Photo Credit: PTI/AP

During Trump's previous term from 2017 to 2021, tens of thousands of migrants, including Haitians who lost US protections, fled north to Canada.

"We're on high alert," stated Sergeant Charles Poirier, a spokesperson for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, speaking to AFP.

"All of our eyes are looking at the border to see what's going to happen... because we know that Trump's stance on immigration might drive up illegal and irregular migration to Canada," he said.

In Ottawa, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland held a meeting on Friday with a group of ministers assigned to address complex issues that might arise between Canada and the incoming Trump administration.

She sought to reassure Canadians that the country was prepared for a potential increase in migrant arrivals.

"We have a plan," she stated at a news conference following the meeting, though she did not reveal specifics. "Canadians need to know... our borders are safe and secure and we control them."

This heightened vigilance comes as Canada is lowering its own immigration targets.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government has announced plans to slow population growth to focus on strengthening essential infrastructure and social services.

Quebec Premier Francois Legault also voiced concerns this week about large numbers of arrivals potentially overwhelming his province's already strained housing capacity.

- Google Searches Surge -

Following Tuesday's election, online searches in the United States related to moving to Canada surged tenfold.

The legal status of those conducting these searches is uncertain, but some US citizens opposed to Trump's return to power have reportedly been inquiring about Canadian immigration and relocation services.

Google Trends showed popular search terms such as "immigrate to Canada," "Canada immigration process," and "how to move to Canada."

Government estimates suggest that processing times for permanent residency applications could take up to one year, while projected wait times for refugee claims stand at 44 months.

Entering Canada outside of official border checkpoints is illegal and poses serious risks, particularly as winter approaches, Poirier noted.

"We understand the misery and fear that drives people to try to cross into Canada (through forests or fields or across lakes and rivers), but there are real dangers," he warned.

"It's starting to get cold. We've seen some tragedies in the past. People were severely frostbitten and had to have amputations. People also suffered severe hypothermia," said Poirier.

Some individuals have lost their lives attempting these crossings.

Rule changes in 2023 have also made it more difficult for people coming from the United States to succeed in making asylum claims in Canada, and they are likely to be returned to the US.

Poirier indicated that "more boots on the ground" would be deployed along the world's longest unmilitarised border in the coming days, with authorities anticipating that migrants may begin to head north soon, ahead of Trump's inauguration in January.

Additionally, cameras, sensors, and drones have already been installed along the 8,891-kilometre (5,525-mile) border, with real-time information being shared between Canada and the United States, he added.

Despite months of preparation, Poirier warned that if thousands of migrants arrived simultaneously and crossed at various border points, "it could become unmanageable."