Away from public glare, migrant deaths from crossing the US-Canada border are going unnoticed

The return of Donald Trump as United States president has sparked new security measures along the Canada-US border.

After Trump threatened to slap tariffs on Canadian imports if irregular migration and illegal drugs were not curtailed, Canadian federal and provincial governments pledged new border enforcement resources. Trump may still go ahead with his tariff threats despite a reprieve.

Research shows that tighter border policies don’t deter migration. Policing borders pushes migrants into more remote and dangerous crossing points, and difficult crossings lead migrants to rely more heavily on human smuggling operations. One outcome of heightened border security is clearly an increase in human suffering and death.

Our work documenting deaths at the Canada-US border shows that irregular crossings have taken the lives of at least 38 people. The actual number of migrant fatalities is likely much higher.

We’re concerned that additional border security measures will lead to more danger and death for migrants attempting to cross between the two countries. Recent incidents lend weight to these concerns: one migrant died in a car chase with RCMP on February 4, while another nine people were arrested as they tried to cross into Canada in dangerous winter conditions on February 3.

Crossing the US-Canada border

People from around the world cross the Canada-US border daily. Most people enter Canada and the United States formally through official ports of entry. Still, some migrants also travel across the border, in...

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