New Delhi: The number of undocumented Indians crossing from Canada into the United States on foot has reached an unprecedented high, prompting serious concerns about the effectiveness of Canada's visa screening process.
According to the Indian Express, In June alone, 5,152 undocumented Indians crossed the border, surpassing the number entering from Mexico—a route historically associated with illegal crossings.
Stretching over nearly 9,000 km, the US-Canada line is the longest open border in the world, more than twice as long as the Mexico span — and, incidentally, nearly thrice the length of India’s 3,400-km border with China.
Image credit: LeMonde
Surge in undocumented Indian crossings
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data reveals a staggering 13-fold increase in undocumented Indian crossings at the US-Canada border from 2021 to 2024. This surge has placed Canada's visa policies under the microscope, especially as Indian passengers bound for Canada have increasingly sought asylum in the UK during transit.
The UK factor
The UK's exemption for Canada-bound Indians from obtaining transit visas has significantly contributed to the sharp rise in asylum claims. Between 2018 and 2023, the number of Indian asylum seekers at UK ports increased 11-fold, far outpacing other nationalities. This dramatic rise underscores the challenges in managing immigration flows and the potential loopholes in visa and transit policies that are being exploited by undocumented migrants.
In response to the rising number of asylum claims from Indian nationals, the United Kingdom has proposed that all Canada-bound Indian nationals be required to obtain transit visas for stopovers.
The Canada factor
Canada is also witnessing a significant increase in asylum claims from Indian nationals. In the first quarter of 2024 alone, 6,056 claims were filed, continuing a trend that began in 2017 when Canada relaxed its visa policies to attract foreign students. This surge has highlighted the unintended consequences of these relaxed policies, as more Indian nationals attempt to enter the US through Canada.
The Mexico factor
The northern US border with Canada has now become twice as busy as the southwestern border for undocumented Indian crossings. This shift is largely attributed to the stricter security measures at the Mexico border.
Experts believe the ease of obtaining Canadian visas and the relative safety of crossing from Canada compared to the dangerous Mexico route are key factors driving this shift. In response to the increasing number of crossings, the US has established the Northern Border Security Caucus to address concerns over human trafficking and drug smuggling along the northern border.
Immigration Management
The situation underscores the complex and growing challenges of managing immigration in an increasingly interconnected world. It also highlights the need for tighter coordination between countries to address the loopholes in visa and transit policies that are being exploited, leading to a surge in undocumented migrations and asylum claims.