Illegal crossings to Manitoba this year already exceed 2023 total

RCMP border services in Manitoba have arrested 85 people attempting to cross illegally from the United States this year alone. A provisional toll set to increase despite the cold of winter, but which already exceeds the 75 arrests for 2023.

At a press conference on Thursday, to warn of the dangers of crossing in winter, the GRC of Manitoba lists the origin of the migrants arrested this year: Chadians, Sudanese, Guineans, Iraqis, Mauritanians, Congolese, Yemenis, Somalis, Cubans, Moroccans and even Eritreans. Most come from countries experiencing armed conflict or political tension.

It’s a complex problem, many come to Canada to seek asylum. Increasingly, law enforcement is finding that organizations are working to smuggle migrants undetected. Human trafficking is a real problemindicate the American and Canadian border authorities in a press release.

Traffickers don’t care about migrants. They seek to make as much money as possible with the minimum amount of effort.alerts the head of the integrated border police team (EIPF) of the GRCSergeant Lance Goldau.

Crossings unconscious

Border authorities point out that with the cold, attempting to cross illegally is unconscious. They warn those who might be tempted to cross that the cold is deadly and that help sometimes arrives too late.

Don’t risk your life, especially with winter coming. Do not put your life in the hands of dishonest smugglers.

In January 2022, for example, four members of the Patel family, originally from India, were found frozen to death near Emerson, Manitoba.

Harsh environmental conditions, deadly temperatures, abuse by smugglers, lack of communication toolsthe list of dangers identified by the authorities is long.

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The RCMP’s Integrated Border Enforcement Team (IBET) and U.S. Border Patrol in Grand Forks say they will work closely together to avoid tragedies.