As reporting on illegal border crossings increases, a Sergeant with the RCMP's Border Integrity unit in southern Manitoba says his team is aware there may, understandably, be some public safety concerns.
Sgt. Lance Goldau says his team is trying to inform area residents as best they can.
Among the inquiries that have filtered into the office, he noted, is what homeowners and landowners can do to improve safety. On occasion, migrants have sought shelter in out-buildings, seeking warmth and refuge from the elements, but officials say these situations are not a common occurrence.
Sgt. Goldau noted, however, the current likelihood of migrants knocking on the door of a rural home, seeking shelter in an out-building or flagging down motorists is low, explaining, they don't want to be found.
"Even from a law enforcement perspective, we're not seeing the calls for service where people are coming and flagging someone down or knocking on a door saying, 'hey, can you call the police?' unless it's a medical emergency situation."
According to Sgt. Goldau, a big part of that is because of changes made to the Safe Third Country agreement in March 2023. Prior to that date, he explained, migrants crossing into Canada wanted authorities to apprehend them because it would allow them to claim asylum with Canada Border Services Agency.
"Now, there's a fourteen-day rule. This means migrants that are apprehended without being in Canada for fourteen days, unless they meet certain exemptions, there is a likelihood they can be returned. So, what we've seen from a border enforcement perspective with the RCMP, is that migrants are evading apprehension from police or avoiding detection."
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Still, some continue to wonder how they can better secure their properties.
Sgt. Goldau says it comes down to simple and affordable things, like making sure your home and out-buildings are locked, along with any vehicles. Lighting is also proven to deter criminality, he noted. Security alarm systems and security video/camera technology are also options.
"These are things that I would recommend twenty years ago when I started in the RCMP," he said. "I stress though, if you're not sure, call the RCMP, call the Border Integrity team."
Overall, Sgt. Goldau says his team hasn't yet witnessed a violent encounter with a migrant or human smuggler, nor encountered a migrant that has purposely crossed the border into Canada to cause criminality. Rather, he noted, they are coming for a host of other reasons.
"Whether it's to escape political strife, social injustice, conflict zones. They are generally searching for a better life.
Canada is known for its hospitality, it's welcomeness, it's openness. A lot of people that I spoke with are very much in favour of the laws and safety that Canada offers to people of nationalities, all races, without discrimination and that's a big draw for people to come to Canada. They want to live in a place where they feel safe, and they feel protected."
Meantime, Sgt. Goldau says other border residents are continuing the business of living in the area.
"Some have said, 'this is nothing new to me. We went through the 2019 surge when it came through'. "
In any case, Sgt. Goldau says area residents should report suspicious activity and observations, or suspected illegal migrants to their local police or RCMP IBET so they can respond accordingly.
Individuals can contact Red River IBET by calling:
Emergencies – 9-1-1 (i.e. Reporting a border crossing event in progress).
24/7 – (for Border Integrity emergencies and non-emergent matters) 1-888-MAN-IBET (626-4238). If members are out patrolling and no one answers, the call is forwarded to RCMP dispatch and any information provided will be passed on to the members in the field.
Non-emergent matters (i.e. to pass on non-emergent information or for questions) – email: rcmp.dibet.grc@rcmp-grc.gc.ca (Emails are monitored on weekdays).
Keep your eyes peeled to PembinaValleyOnline in the coming days and weeks as we hear more from Sgt. Goldau about how we can further help to be his team's eyes and ears on the border, including what suspicious activity may look like and what to do if you encounter a migrant or human smuggler.