A U.S. Border Patrol sector covering New York, Vermont and New Hampshire has seen a record-breaking surge in illegal crossings from Canada, with nearly 20,000 illegal immigrants apprehended in fiscal year 2024. This astonishing number, far exceeding totals from the past 17 years combined, highlights a growing border crisis that is no longer limited to the southern border.
According to Chief Patrol Agent Robert Garcia, who oversees the Swanton Sector, his agents have detained 19,222 individuals attempting to cross the northern border illegally. These individuals hail from at least 97 different countries, indicating that the border crisis is a global issue, not just one stemming from Central and South America.
This surge is a stark contrast to previous years, with only 6,925 arrests in fiscal year 2023 and just 1,065 in 2022. The Swanton Sector had not seen arrests exceed 1,000 in a single fiscal year since 2010, except briefly under President Donald Trump. The dramatic increase comes despite the Biden-Harris administration’s focus on addressing illegal immigration primarily at the southern border.
In response to the growing number of crossings from Canada, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has reportedly taken steps to expedite the asylum process for those entering through the northern border. However, it remains unclear how effective these measures have been, as the numbers continue to rise.
Critics argue that the Biden-Harris administration’s border policies have contributed to the increased flow of illegal immigrants across both borders. As the northern border crisis escalates, the need for stronger enforcement and comprehensive immigration reform has become more urgent.
