Safety is a matter that concerns both sides of the Canadian-American border.
For the first time, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Integrated Border Enforcement Team (IBET) and the United States Border Patrol’s Grand Forks Sector held an information session jointly to educate the public on the dangers of crossing the border illegally — especially during the winter months when frigid temperatures and inclement weather can cause a tragic loss of human life.
A dangerous trend
“Every year, people from around the world make their way to this area, seeking to cross the border illegally. They don't comprehend how cold it can get,” says Chief Patrol Agent Scott D. Garrett of the Grand Forks Sector. “They are unprepared and have inadequate clothing, and they don't know that there are very few places to seek shelter along our border if they get caught in a snowstorm or blizzard. This can be a matter of life or death.”
The joint border safety event, which was labelled as “humanitarian” in nature, highlights the work that RCMP IBET and the United States Border Patrol’s Grand Forks Sector conduct together. The Canada-United States border is the world’s longest undefended border. Sergeant Lance Goldau, the head of RCMP IBET, says that Canadians are “extremely proud” to partner with their neighbours not only to secure the border, but to prevent injuries and loss of life along it.
Chief Garrett alludes to the reason for the border safety session's timing.
“Over the past couple of years, there has been an increase in migrants who attempt to illegally cross the border in both directions,” he says. “Our agents are committed to vigilantly enforcing the law at the border while also promoting public safety and protecting people's lives.”
According to the RCMP, to date, there have been 85 apprehensions of illegal northbound crossers. The number is up from 2023’s 75 apprehensions. The originating countries of the crossers include the Republic of Chad, the Republic of Sudan, Guinea, Iraq, Mauritania, Congo, Yemen, Somalia, Saint Helena, Eritrea, Cuba, Morocco, Mali, and Brazil.
When temperatures drop well below freezing, unprepared migrants are in peril and in desperate need of rescue. -Chief Patrol Agent Scott D. Garrett
The RCMP calls these crossings a “complex issue.” Many illegal crossers are attempting to escape conflicts around the world and seek to make a refugee claim in Canada. While the matter requires nuance to detangle, what is clear is that safety is a concern.
Preventing tragedy
October 10th's session in Pembina, N.D. stated the realities of illegal crossing in no uncertain terms.
“Regardless of the many publicized messages warning people about the dangers of crossing the border in winter, many migrants will ignore these warnings, placing themselves and their families and friends in danger,” says Chief Garrett. “The reality is that migrants have lost their lives while crossing the border due to severe weather. Our job is to continue taking proactive measures to enforce border security while apprehending those involved in illicit activities. This is the most effective strategy for reducing injuries and fatalities among migrants during the winter months.”
For Chief Chris Misson, Affairs Liaison for the United States Customs and Border Protection’s Ports of Entry, the issue of transportation is something that catches even legal crossers off guard. In his jurisdiction, there are 25 ports of land entry including 18 in North Dakota and 7 in Minnesota.
“Most of the ports of entry in the two states are very remote,” he says. “None of these ports are ideally set up for pedestrian traffic. They're on remote highways or Interstate highways with a large amount of commercial traffic.”
Chief Misson cautions potential crossers that in these remote areas, there are almost no options for transportation. This is a problem when it’s -30°C in January.
“We do get travelers . . . on foot that cross the border crossings, sometimes traveling with small children with no means of transportation once they get to the border or after they leave the border,” he says. “The local communities that are nearby do not have a lot of resources. There's no transit systems, no bus systems, Ubers, no taxi cabs, so the one thing I'd really just like to put out . . . is that if you're going to travel to the border at the crossings, please have a transportation plan getting to the border and when you depart the border.”
A portion of the border safety event included information about the various equipment the border agencies deploy for the rescue missions of illegal crossings gone wrong.
“Technology enhancements have increased our ability to effectively detect people's locations after crossing the border,” says Chief Garrett. “These vehicles, along with other technology [such as] cameras and sensors, provide agents with the necessary tools to quickly locate individuals in life threatening situations.”
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Chief Garrett says that border patrol agents are trained to be first responders because often in rural settings, they are the first on scene due to their location. He says that there are also certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) throughout the Grand Forks sector.
“I'm proud of our agents’ dedication and commitment to protecting our border and saving lives,” he says. “But as long as smugglers and traffickers exist, we still have work to do.”
Selfishness and ill-intent
In addition to the hazards of harsh weather conditions, both agencies focus on raising awareness about other risks for migrants who cross illegally, including a lack of communication tools and abuse by smugglers.
Migrants’ treatment at the hands of human smugglers is a significant area of concern for the border agencies. The RCMP says that law enforcement has seen an increase in smuggling organizations working to get migrants across the border without detection. Both Chief Garrett and Sergeant Goldau address this topic fervently.
“Simply put, they see people as dollar signs and do not care about human life,” says Chief Garrett. “Smugglers put the lives of migrants in dangerous situations during the winter months. False promises from smugglers can persuade and mislead migrants to cross the border during bad weather conditions. These smugglers only focus on their self-profit and disregard people's safety.”
It's critical that we emphasize the dangers of crossing the border illegally. One death is too many. -Chief Patrol Agent Scott D. Garrett
The RCMP in Manitoba is responsible for approximately 520 kilometres of shared border. Accordingly, this agency also has a lot to say about smugglers.
“Working cooperatively with our partners helps us all to respond to evolving trends that we encounter at the border,” says Sergeant Goldau. “Human smuggling is one of those trends that continues to be a concern. These are organized groups that solicit migrants to cross the border illegally, making false promises and providing false hope of an easy transition into Canada. These smugglers are not in the business to care about the migrants that they move, nor are they looking to help these vulnerable people seek a better life in Canada.”
For Sergeant Goldau, the situation cannot be overstated.
“Let me be clear. Smugglers are ferrying people across the border without any consideration for their safety. The migrants are abandoned, sometimes miles away from the border, uneducated and ill-prepared for what lies ahead in their journey,” he says. “Nobody is traversing the route with these migrants and directing them to safety. Indeed, quite the opposite. They are left completely on their own, only to fend for themselves, hoping to connect with someone who may or may not be waiting for them when they cross.”
For Sergeant Goldau and many Manitoban residents, one devastating instance of a migrant family, the Patels, who lost their lives in 2022 still causes anguish surrounding the topic of illegal border crossings. It puts the great risks into perspective.
“This tragic event remains in our consciousness and reminds us of a family trying to change their circumstances [in] their last moments, likely ones of fear and hopelessness facing the harsh winter elements with no aid or end in sight,” he says. “It haunts us as investigators but troubles us further as human beings. It is imperative that any would-be crossers know that it is not safe. Don't put your life and the lives of your family in the hands of these smugglers. The risks are too extreme, and the results may cost you your life.”
Sergeant Goldau adds that while the border agencies have equipment for rescue missions, the harsh climate decreases the number of successes.
A plea rooted in compassion
In the end, the message of the border safety event is clear.
“The RCMP's ultimate goal is the safety, security and well-being of everyone in Canada. We work tirelessly with our partners on border security as part of our commitment toward that goal. Today I stand united with Chief Garrett on his important safety issue,” says Sergeant Goldau.
He also has an entreaty.
“[I] plead with anyone listening [who is] thinking about attempting to cross into Canada between the ports of entry to make the safe decision. Please choose to enter Canada the safe and legal way," he says. "Please choose to avoid the hazards and risks of entering Canada through the challenging and dangerous environment that Manitoba and North Dakota are guaranteed to provide . . . . There are ways to enter either country that do not involve risking your life. I implore you, please make the right choice.”
Visit RCMP Manitoba’s webpage to get more information on the services it oversees in the province.
~With files from Candace Derksen~