Trump’s border czar: Not only India, but also the US is concerned about terror risks from Canada

It’s not just India, even the United States is concerned about the security risks associated with Canada. Concerns that Canada’s borders with the US are vulnerable and could be exploited by terrorists to enter the US were expressed by Tom Homan, ‘border czar’ chosen by newly elected President Donald Trumpto protect America’s borders. Homan said Canada needed to understand that it could not be a “gateway for terrorists” to the US.

According to Global News of Canada, in September 2023, a Pakistani citizen was arrested in Qubec who planned to cross into the US to carry out an attack on Jewish people in New York City.

Homan spoke about the “extreme national security vulnerabilities” along the Canada-U.S. border. He said Canada hasn’t taken border security seriously in more than a decade.

Donald Trump’s The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for January 20, 2025and he is busy building a team that reflects his policy priorities. Border security and illegal immigration are at the top of Trump’s agenda.

Homan, who previously served as acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), highlighted the risk of “special interest aliens” – individuals from countries linked to terrorism – using Canada as a passage to the US, according to CBC News. There are fears that terrorists could sneak into the US.

Homan said Canada needed to understand that it could not be a “terrorist gateway” to the US, according to Global News.

He emphasized that tightening security of the northern borders would be a priority for the new administration, with a particular focus on increasing human smuggling activities and illegal crossings from Canada. He warned of “difficult conversations” with Ottawa as part of addressing these vulnerabilities.

Homan also noted that Canadian border security is weaker, with fewer agents, making it an attractive route for illegal immigrants, including people from countries that are centers of terrorism.

In an interview with 7News in Watertown, New York – a community near the Canadian border – Homan emphasized his commitment to national security and indicated that addressing these vulnerabilities would be part of Trump’s broader agenda.

India has raised the issue of threat to its security from Canada. Justin Trudeau’s government is not cracking down on Khalistani terrorists who have turned the country into a safe haven and is not targeting people in India. Canada has not deported any terrorists wanted by India. India has accused Trudeau of coddling Khalistanis as part of his vote bank politics.

SHARPNESS RISE IN ILLEGAL BORDER BRIDGES INTO THE US FROM CANADA

The U.S. Border Patrol reported a sharp increase in illegal border crossings along the northern border, especially in the Swanton sector, which covers parts of Vermont and New York.

More than 19,000 people from 97 countries were arrested last year, more than the total number of arrests in the past 17 years. The wave has increased tensions with Canadian officials and sparked discussions about closer cooperation between the U.S. and Canada.

There has been an increase in the number of border crossings, also because it has become a lucrative business.

A LUCRATIVE BUT DANGEROUS HUMAN STRUGGLING BUSINESS

The increase in human smuggling along the border is linked to organized crime groups in Canada, which charge between $1,500 and $6,000 per person for illegal entry into the US.

These illegal crossings often take place in remote areas, including rivers, farmlands and forests.

Tragically, some of these journeys end in death, as seen in the case of one Indian family who froze to death while trying to cross the border into Canada.

Human trafficking networks have been linked to fatal incidentsincluding the drowning of two families – one from India and the other from Romania – in the St. Lawrence River in March 2023.

The US has also seen an increase in irregular border crossings from India, which has now become the top source country for illegal border crossings from Canada, according to CBC News.

In 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Protection arrested or expunged a record 96,917 people from India are trying to enter the US illegally.

US-CANADA COOPERATION AND VISA REPAIRS

In response to growing concerns about border security, the U.S. has called for cooperation with Canada to prevent these irregular border crossings.

U.S. pressure has led Canada to reinstate some visa requirements for Mexican nationals in the past year, which had been a major factor in the wave of illegal crossings into New York and Vermont.

Homan, who is from West Carthage, New York, expressed his personal connection to security in the region, saying, “It’s home, I’m not going to ignore home.”

He vowed to carry out what he called “the largest deportation operation this country has ever seen,” further emphasizing his commitment to strict border enforcement.

Homan’s role, which does not require Senate confirmation, includes oversight of both the northern and southern U.S. borders, along with maritime and aviation security.

Tune in