Crisis at Our Doorstep: Northern Border Surge Overwhelms New York

New York Faces Unprecedented Migrant Influx

While much of the national focus has been on the chaos at the southern border, New York and other northern states like Vermont and New Hampshire are now grappling with their own migration crisis. Human smuggling operations are exploiting the relatively undefended Canadian border, turning our state into a new frontline in the battle against illegal immigration.

Shocking Spike in Border Arrests

The numbers are staggering. In 2023, about 7,000 migrants were apprehended trying to enter the US illegally from Canada—a figure that eclipses the previous 12 years combined. Chief Patrol Agent Robert Garcia of the Swanton sector, which includes a 295-mile stretch from New York to New Hampshire, reported 492 apprehensions in just one week this spring, equal to the total for the entire year of 2021.

Global Pipeline of Illegal Migration

US Border Patrol Agent Erik Lavallee revealed to CBS News that a complex network of organizations is using Canada as a backdoor to flood the US with migrants from 66 countries, including India, Haiti, Venezuela, and Mexico. This global influx underscores the widespread and organized nature of the threat facing our borders.

Deadly Crossings and Government Inaction

Even though the northern border lacks the high-profile dangers of the southern crossing, it is far from safe. Ten migrants have tragically died from drowning and hypothermia in the treacherous Swanton sector. Meanwhile, the Biden administration is set to tighten asylum rules at the southern border, but the northern border continues to be neglected, leaving it vulnerable and unprotected.

Policymakers Out of Touch

Our leaders seem woefully unprepared for this surge. In spring 2023, during a visit to Ottawa, President Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau updated the Safe Third Country Agreement to address the flood of migrants crossing from the US into Canada. However, this agreement fails to tackle the surge of illegal crossings into the US from Canada, showing a glaring oversight in their strategy.

Time for Immediate Action

It's time to wake up to the reality that our northern border is under siege. New Yorkers and Americans must demand immediate and decisive action to secure our borders and protect our communities. The current administration's failure to address this crisis head-on is a clear and present danger that cannot be ignored. The future of our state and country depends on it.