The once peaceful U.S.-Canada border now grapples with rising security concerns and challenges that undermine its age-old tranquility. There have been increased migrant encounters at the border in 2024 compared to 2023. The DHS reported terrorists potentially exploiting the border security crisis.
Border Threat Assessment
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) highlights a high-threat environment, emphasizing the risk of migrants with ties to terrorism exploiting the U.S.-Canada border. In fiscal year 2024, 283 individuals on a watchlist were encountered at this northern boundary, overshadowing the 139 at the southern border. Despite these alarming statistics, efforts remain heavily focused elsewhere. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas underscored the gravity, noting the challenging and dynamic nature of these threats.
Analyzing the 2025 Homeland Threat Assessment, it is clear that individuals with terrorism connections persistently aim to gain U.S. entry through these expansive and minimally guarded terrains, making collaboration crucial for national safety.
WATCH: Former CBSA officer Kelly Sundberg says the Trudeau Liberals have been misleading Canadians on the border for the last DECADE, adding:
“We’re about to experience a tsunami – a tsunami – of people who are living illegally in the U.S. seeking asylum in Canada.” pic.twitter.com/eofdUTYEBL
— Rachel Parker (@Emmanuel_Rach) November 14, 2024
Surge in Illegal Crossings
Despite the drop in migrant encounters on other fronts, the U.S.-Canada border has seen significant hikes from 170,000 in FY 2023 to over 181,000 in FY 2024. This upsurge calls for immediate attention and highlights the porous nature of this extensive border, which is often neglected owing to the heavy focus on the U.S.-Mexico boundary. Such neglect debunks the misconception of security inherited from its peaceful history.
“The Homeland Security Assessment provides an important overview of the dynamic and evolving threat landscape, illustrating just how varied and challenging the threats we confront are.” – Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
Moreover, port-of-entry encounters predominantly involve individuals holding Canadian legal status, adding layers to the complexity in terms of legal scrutiny and enforcement. Such dynamics open loopholes that could be potentially exploited.
Today, Canada and the EU signed the Agreement on Passenger Name Record Data Transfer. The Agreement advances efforts in combatting terrorism and serious transnational crime, and reinforces the safety and integrity of Canada’s borders.
For more info: https://t.co/geBk42NQUI pic.twitter.com/uD8NmrZuds
— Canada Border Services Agency (@CanBorder) October 4, 2024
The Need for Stringent Security
Ever since the apprehension of Mohammad Hasan Abdellatif Albana, a Jordanian national with suspected ties to terrorism, the spotlight has been on the vulnerabilities present at the northern border. The region’s remoteness, severe weather, and extensive length pose further patrolling challenges. Migrant encounters from Eastern Hemisphere countries, where the risk of radical Islamic terrorism is higher, have slightly dwindled but remain a pivotal concern.
“Over the next year, we expect some individuals with terrorism ties and some criminal actors will continue their efforts to exploit migration flows and the complex border security environment to enter the United States.” – Department of Homeland Security.
To address these vulnerabilities, experts and officials alike advocate for more robust security measures at this longest land border globally. Enhanced cooperation between the U.S. and Canadian authorities, coupled with sophisticated surveillance technologies, could form the backbone of these strategies.
The peaceful narrative of the U.S.-Canada border faces a turbulent change, marked by stark statistics and authoritative warnings. Without significant interventions, this extensively vulnerable region risks becoming a primary conduit for potential threats.