Rise in Undocumented Indian Migrants to US via Canada

Key Takeaways:

• Indian migrants shift to Canada-US border due to heightened security, with a staggering 97,000 encounters in 2023.
• Drivers like economic aspirations, visa challenges, and Canada’s role lead to a surge in undocumented Indian migration.
• Tragic incidents highlight risks; reforming policies, enhancing cooperation, and addressing root causes are imperative responses to crisis.

Unveiling the Crisis: The Surge of Undocumented Indian Migration into the US via Canada

Escalating Numbers: A Disturbing Migration Rush

Previously, Indian migrants primarily entered the US via the southern border with Mexico. However, with heightened border security, they have shifted their focus to the northern border with Canada. In 2019, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) apprehended or expelled just 16,000 Indian migrants at all borders. But in 2023, that number skyrocketed to 97,000, with 30,000 encounters occurring at the Canadian border. Between October and February alone, an additional 14,000 Indians were intercepted along this international crossing.

“We’re seeing a migration rush,” said a CBP spokesperson. Last year, the Canadian border witnessed a staggering 190,000 encounters of various nationalities, six times more than in 2021.

Complex Drivers: Seeking a Better Life, Avoiding Visas

The Indian Embassy acknowledged the situation, stating that officials are collaborating with the US to facilitate legal mobility and combat illegal immigration and human trafficking. Chirag Patel, an immigration lawyer specializing in Indian asylum cases, predicts that the flow of asylum seekers will continue until the US presidential election in November. “People are trying to get things in before November, and also before January,” he observed.

Devesh Kapur, a professor of Asian Studies at Johns Hopkins University, emphasizes that most of the migrants are driven by aspirations for better economic opportunities. “Very few of these are professionals,” he notes. They are primarily uneducated youths, predominantly from families with financial means.

Accessing the US through legal avenues proves challenging. Student visas are scarce, and immigrant visas can take up to 20 years to process. Desperate for entry, some migrants resort to the dangerous “donkey route” through Central America. However, many deem Canada a safer and more accessible entry point into North America.

Canada’s Role: Visa Concerns and Smuggling Networks

The Canadian government acknowledges the impact of its visa policy on countries requiring visas. Nevertheless, Canada continues to be viewed as an easier access point than other nations. As a result, people enter Canada with the sole purpose of crossing into the US.

Pawan Dhingra, a professor at Amherst College, highlights the importance of established Indian communities in the US, which provide support and employment opportunities for these migrants. However, their arrival has also prompted investigations into smuggling networks. Recently, authorities uncovered a network that transported migrants from Gujarat to work for Gujarati businesses in Chicago.

Humanitarian Concerns: Perilous Journeys and Tragic Outcomes

Unlawful border crossings carry significant risks. In January 2022, an Indian family of four tragically froze to death near the border in Manitoba. A year prior, the bodies of eight migrants, including four Indians, were recovered from the St. Lawrence River.

Maureen Silcoff, an immigration lawyer specializing in refugees in Canada, remarks that these incidents reflect the desperate circumstances driving migrants’ actions. “They’re not coming for a thrilling adventure,” she says. “They’re trying to alleviate hardships by relocating to another country.”

Conclusion: A Call for Reform

The surge in undocumented Indian migration via Canada is a complex and controversial issue. Several factors contribute to this phenomenon, including inadequate legal immigration pathways, economic disparities, and the perception of Canada as an accessible entry point into the US. The humanitarian risks associated with illegal border crossings are a major concern, as evidenced by the tragic deaths of migrants.

Addressing this crisis requires a comprehensive approach involving cooperation between the US and Canada, reform of immigration policies to create more accessible legal pathways, and economic development initiatives to address the root causes of migration.

Learn Today:

Glossary of Immigration Terms

1. Undocumented Migrants:
   • Definition: Individuals who enter or reside in a country without the necessary legal permissions or who have overstayed their authorized period of stay. This term is often used interchangeably with “illegal immigrants”, but “undocumented” focuses more on the lack of legal documents rather than the legality of the person.
2. Asylum Seekers:
   • Definition: People who flee their own country and seek sanctuary in another country. They apply for asylum—the right to be recognized as a refugee and receive legal protection and material assistance—because of fear of persecution due to race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.
3. Human Trafficking:
   • Definition: The act of recruiting, transporting, transferring, harboring, or receiving persons through the use of force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of exploitation. This can include forced labor, sexual exploitation, and other forms of modern-day slavery.
4. Visa Policy:
   • Definition: A set of rules and regulations set by a country to determine who is eligible to enter and under what conditions. Visa policies can greatly influence the flow of migrants and the channels through which they migrate, impacting both legal and illegal immigration patterns.
5. Smuggling Networks:
   • Definition: Organized groups that facilitate the illegal movement of individuals across borders, often for a fee and without regard for the safety or legal protections for the individuals being smuggled. These networks can be involved in various illegal activities including human trafficking.

These terms are crucial for understanding the complexities of immigration issues and the specific challenges related to undocumented migration from India to the U.S. via Canada.

This Article In A Nutshell:

Surge of Undocumented Indian Migration via Canada to US
Indian migrants are turning to Canada for US entry due to heightened border vigilance. 97,000 encountered in 2023, with 30,000 at the Canadian border—up from just 16,000 in 2019. Seeking safety and opportunities, they face perilous journeys. Reforms and cooperation between nations are vital for addressing this complex humanitarian crisis.
— By VisaVerge.com

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