Analysts argue that the surge in illegal migration stems from the lack of legal pathways to the US
As security at the US-Mexico border intensifies, many undocumented Indian migrants are shifting to the less-guarded US-Canada border in search of better opportunities. Data from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reveals a sharp increase in Indian crossings along the northern border, reported scmp.com.
Encounters surged from 2,200 in 2021 to over 30,000 in 2022, and within the first half of 2023 alone, 22,399 Indian migrants were encountered compared to 11,053 on the southern border.
The report cited experts like Muzaffar Chishti, a senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute, who link this shift to stricter US border policies introduced in late 2022. “People with Canadian visas find the northern route more accessible since it’s not as heavily patrolled as the southern border,” said Chishti. This shift became apparent as soon as numbers declined at the southern border, with migrants opting for Canada’s relatively more accessible entry points.
Canada serves as a convenient gateway for Indian migrants, thanks to relatively faster visa processing times. While securing a meeting for a US visa in Delhi can take up to a year, Canada’s visitor visas are processed within about 80 days. However, for some migrants, the ultimate goal remains the US, driven by better job prospects or existing family connections across the border
Many Indian migrants using this northern route are not fleeing persecution but seeking better work and educational opportunities. The story of Jagdish Patel, a 39-year-old from Gujarat, mirrors the journey of many others. Patel, involved in his family’s garment business, hoped to relocate to the US for a better future for his children and himself. Analysts emphasize that it is often the educated yet unemployed who take these risks due to limited job opportunities back home.
Known as the “donkey route,” the path to the US frequently involves traveling through several countries. Some migrants attempt the treacherous Darién Gap between Colombia and Panama, while others are deported after failing to gain entry in nations like Panama. A December 2022 flight from Dubai to Nicaragua, carrying over 300 Indian migrants, was grounded in France due to concerns over undocumented immigration.
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