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It's not just India, even the US is concerned about security risks related to Canada. Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, pointed to the ill-guarded Canadian border and said terrorists could use it as a "gateway" into the US. He said the Justin Trudeau administration had not taken border security seriously.
Tom Homan, Donald Trump's border czar, slammed the Canadian government of Justin Trudeau for taking border security lightly.
New Delhi,UPDATED: Nov 14, 2024 16:45 IST
It's not just India, even the United States is worried about security risks associated with Canada. The concern that Canada's borders with the US were vulnerable and could be exploited by terrorists to enter the US was raised by Tom Homan, 'border czar' picked by President-elect Donald Trump, to oversee America's borders. Homan said Canada needed to understand that it couldn't be a "gateway for terrorists" to the US.
In September 2023, a Pakistani citizen planning to cross into the US to carry out an attack on Jewish people in New York City was arrested in Qubec, according to Global News of Canada.
Homan spoke about the "extreme national security vulnerabilities" along the Canada-US border. He said that Canada hadn't taken border security seriously for over a decade now.
Donald Trump's swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for January 20, 2025, and he is busy putting together a team that is reflecting his policy priorities. Border security and illegal immigration are on top of Trump's agenda.
Homan, who previously served as the Acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), highlighted the risk posed by "special interest aliens" -- individuals from countries with ties to terrorism -- using Canada as a passage into the US, according to CBC News. The fear is that terrorists could slip into the US.
Homan said Canada needed to understand that it couldn't be a "gateway for terrorists" to the US, according to Global News.
He emphasised that tightening northern border security would be a priority for the incoming administration, with a particular focus on rising human smuggling activity and irregular crossings from Canada. He warned of "tough conversations" with Ottawa as part of addressing these vulnerabilities.
Homan also noted that Canada’s border security is weaker, with fewer officers, making it an attractive route for illegal immigrants, including those from countries that are a hub of terrorism.
In an interview with 7News in Watertown, New York -- a community near the Canadian border -- Homan stressed his commitment to national security and indicated that addressing these vulnerabilities would be part of Trump’s broader agenda.
India has been raising the issue of the threat to its security from Canada. The Justin Trudeau administration is not cracking down on Khalistani terrorists who have made the country a safe haven, and targeting people in India. Canada hasn't deported terrorists wanted by India. India has accused Trudeau of mollycoddling Khalistanis as part of his vote-bank politics.
SHARP RISE IN ILLEGAL BORDER CROSSINGS INTO US FROM CANADA
The US Border Patrol reported a sharp increase in illegal border crossings along the northern border, particularly in the Swanton Sector, which covers parts of Vermont and New York.
In the past year, over 19,000 individuals from 97 countries were apprehended, exceeding the total number of arrests over the previous 17 years. This surge has raised tensions with Canadian officials and prompted discussions about increased co-operation between the US and Canada.
Border Patrol Agents in Swanton Sector have apprehended more than 19,222 subjects from 97 different countries since October 1, 2023, which is more than its last 17 fiscal years combined.
Report suspicious border activity in Swanton Sector: 1-800-689-3362 @USBPChief@CBP@DHSgov pic.twitter.com/BhUaYYi15B
— Chief Patrol Agent Robert Garcia (@USBPChiefSWB) October 2, 2024
There is a rise in border crossings also because it has turned into a lucrative business.
A LUCRATIVE BUT DANGEROUS HUMAN SMUGGLING BUSINESS
The rise in human smuggling along the border is linked to organised crime groups in Canada, charging between $1,500 and $6,000 per person for illegal entry into the US.
These illegal crossings often take place in remote areas, including rivers, farmland, and forests.
Tragically, some of these journeys end in death, as seen in the case of an Indian family who froze to death while attempting to cross US Canada border.
Human trafficking networks have been linked to fatal incidents, including the drowning deaths of two families -- one from India and the other from Romania -- in the St Lawrence River in March 2023.
The US has also seen a surge in irregular crossings from India, which has now become the leading source country for illegal border crossings from Canada, according to CBC News.
In 2023, US Customs and Border Protection arrested or expelled a record 96,917 individuals from India attempting to enter the US illegally.
US-CANADA COLLABORATION AND VISA REINSTATEMENTS
In response to growing concerns over border security, the US has called for collaboration with Canada to prevent these irregular crossings.
The pressure from the US led to Canada reinstating some visa requirements for Mexican nationals in the past year, as they had been a major factor in the surge of illegal crossings into New York and Vermont.
Homan, who hails from West Carthage, New York, expressed a personal connection to the region’s security, stating, “It’s home, I’m not going to ignore home.”
He pledged to carry out what he called "the largest deportation operation this country has ever seen," further emphasising his commitment to strict border enforcement.
Homan's role, which does not require Senate confirmation, will include overseeing both northern and southern US borders, along with maritime and aviation security.
Published By:
Girish Kumar Anshul
Published On:
Nov 14, 2024
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