March 12, 2019 – Fewer than 1,000 irregular border
crossers were intercepted coming from the U.S. to Canada in
January, marking the first time the figure has dropped below four
figures since June 2017.
The first month of 2019 saw 888 people intercepted by RCMP
officers, compared to 1,280 the month before and 1,517 in January
2018.
Canada's federal government will be hoping the reduction
continues throughout the year given the politicization of the issue
by opponents to the Liberals ahead of November's election.
The test will come as the weather warms and conditions become
less treacherous for those motivated to cross the border at
unrecognized points.
The vast majority cross into Quebec into
Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle, with 871 out of 888 entering into the
French-speaking province in January.
