Trump's border czar says Canadian border is an 'extreme' vulnerability

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s border czar has raised concerns about a "serious national security vulnerability" along the Canada-U.S. border, stating that he plans to address it immediately once the new Republican administration takes office.

Tom Homan, who was appointed to oversee U.S. border issues, explained in a television interview that tough discussions with Ottawa are expected regarding the border situation. Homan emphasized the importance of tackling what he described as a significant national security issue along the northern border.

"The northern border is a huge national security problem," Homan stated in an interview with 7News in Watertown, N.Y., a town about 40 kilometers from the Canadian border. Homan, who hails from the area, pointed out that individuals from countries labeled as terror sponsors use Canada to enter the U.S., taking advantage of fewer border officers.

In terms of sheer numbers, irregular crossings along the U.S.-Mexico border greatly exceed those along the Canadian border. However, human smuggling from Canada has increased significantly in the past two years, particularly along the border areas between Ontario, Quebec, New York, and Vermont. In the year ending October 2, U.S. Border Patrol agents apprehended over 19,000 individuals from 97 countries in this region—a figure surpassing total apprehensions in the previous 17 years combined.

This growing issue has fueled tensions with U.S. officials, with concerns voiced during Trump’s election campaign and echoed by other Republican figures like Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy.

Homan, originally from West Carthage, N.Y., about 70 kilometers from Ontario's Thousand Islands region, stressed his personal connection to the area. "It's home, I'm not going to ignore home," he remarked.

As a former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homan will work closely with Trump in the White House, overseeing border enforcement and deportation plans. He stated that the U.S. must work with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to ensure Canadian immigration laws are strictly enforced.

“There must be an understanding that Canada can’t be a gateway for terrorists into the U.S.,” Homan said.

In response, a spokesperson for Canada’s Public Safety Minister emphasized the shared interest between the two countries in enhancing collaboration on border security. They highlighted that Canadian law enforcement agencies are working closely with their U.S. counterparts to protect the border’s integrity. The spokesperson also expressed eagerness to work with whoever is chosen for the role of U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security.

Pressure from the U.S. on border security has influenced Canada’s decision to reinstate some visa requirements for Mexican nationals, who had been a significant factor in the rise of irregular crossings into New York and Vermont. U.S. data now shows India as the top source country for irregular crossings from Canada.

Tom Kmiec, the Conservative party’s immigration critic, criticized the Liberal government for removing visa requirements for Mexican nationals in 2016, suggesting it was a mistake that needed reversal. He also referenced recent cases involving individuals with alleged ties to ISIS, highlighting concerns about border security and visa integrity.

Human smuggling across the Canadian border has become a profitable but dangerous business, with some organized crime groups charging between $1,500 to $6,000 per person for smuggling operations. Tragically, some of these journeys end in fatalities. For example, in December, a pregnant Mexican woman was found dead after attempting to cross from Canada. The RCMP also reported dismantling an international smuggling ring linked to the deaths of two families, one from India and the other from Romania, who drowned in the St. Lawrence River while being smuggled into the U.S. in March 2023.