Unseen Migration Boom: Indian Migrants Flood Northern U.S. Border
A growing number of Indian nationals are making unauthorized crossings into the United States through the northern border with Canada, a phenomenon that has sharply increased over the past year and a half. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents have reported nearly 20,000 encounters with migrants along the northern border so far this year, a 95% increase compared to 2022, with Indian nationals comprising the majority—nearly 60%—of those encounters.
This surge is shifting attention away from the traditionally busier U.S.-Mexico border and putting a spotlight on an often-overlooked route into the U.S., where a combination of economic opportunity and favorable immigration policies in Canada is drawing more Indian migrants north before they attempt to cross southward into the United States.
Many Indian migrants entering the U.S. through the northern border are first arriving in Canada, drawn by its relatively open immigration policies. Canada has been a popular destination due to programs like express entry for skilled workers and, until recently, a policy allowing visitors to apply for temporary work permits.
However, despite the opportunities Canada offers, many migrants see the U.S. as the ultimate destination due to its larger economy and higher wages.
Shivam, a 20-year-old Indian national who crossed the northern border illegally a few weeks ago, described the appeal of the U.S. in simple terms. “I get more opportunities in the U.S. compared to Canada,” he said. Like many others, Shivam’s journey began in Canada but ended in upstate New York after a difficult trek through thick forest.
“I had to walk through the forest, and at night it’s dark and there’s lots of trees and bushes… the forest is full of mud because of the rain,” Shivam recounted. After making his way into the U.S., he sought asylum but acknowledged that economic opportunity was his main motivation for crossing.
The spike in Indian nationals crossing the northern border appears to be largely driven by the pursuit of better economic prospects. Unlike many migrants arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border, who are often fleeing violence or government oppression in Central and South America, Indian nationals coming through Canada are typically seeking work and the chance to reunite with family in the U.S.
“For some of the Indian families, the motivation has definitely been economic opportunity, reunification with family,” said Pablo Bose, director of the Global and Regional Studies Program at the University of Vermont.
Bose explained that while Canada offers a pathway for skilled workers, many migrants perceive the U.S. as offering more jobs across a wider range of industries, particularly in cities like New York and Chicago.
The U.S. dollar’s strength is another factor attracting migrants, Bose added. “It’s not lost on most migrants that the U.S. dollar is 25% stronger than the Canadian.” For those seeking work, the higher earning potential in the U.S. makes the risky journey across the border seem worth the effort.
Despite the allure of economic opportunity, crossing the U.S.-Canada border comes with significant challenges. Migrants must navigate dense forests, endure cold temperatures, and evade U.S. Border Patrol agents. The risks are real, but for many, the northern route is perceived as safer than the dangerous trek through Central America or the Mexican desert, where migrants often face extreme conditions, violence, and exploitation.
Deivy Morales, a 25-year-old Venezuelan who had been waiting in Canada for two years for his asylum case to move forward, finally decided to cross into the U.S. to reunite with his family in Chicago. His journey through the woods of upstate New York was grueling, but for Morales, the dangers paled in comparison to his previous experience of crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.
“I haven’t seen my family in almost three years,” Morales said, explaining that the need to reconnect with his loved ones outweighed the risks.
Many Indian migrants, however, are not deterred by the harsh conditions. They view the northern route as more navigable, especially since some can claim asylum at the U.S. border, though they may face quick deportation under the U.S.-Canada Safe Third Country Agreement, which requires migrants to seek asylum in the first safe country they enter.
As the number of Indian nationals crossing into the U.S. through Canada grows, an informal economy has taken root in northern border towns. In Clinton County, New York, Indian migrants arriving from Canada are greeted by fellow immigrants offering transportation services. Drivers like Shivam rent cars and wait near government buildings, ready to charge migrants anywhere from $150 to $300 for a ride to New York City.
“I rent a car, I come here,” Shivam explained. “So people coming, I’m just helping them.” However, the service is not simply a gesture of goodwill. With business booming, drivers are capitalizing on the growing demand for transportation from newly arrived migrants eager to reach their next destination in the U.S.
In one instance, Morales, who had just crossed the border, struggled to negotiate a fare with a driver after realizing he only had $150 Canadian dollars. Initially told that it wasn’t enough—”This is the U.S., not Canada”—Morales was eventually squeezed into an SUV with a group of Haitian migrants for the six-hour trip to New York City.
Although the number of migrants crossing the northern U.S. border is relatively small compared to the U.S.-Mexico border, the uptick is significant for northern communities unaccustomed to such levels of migration. In June alone, unauthorized crossings of Indian nationals hit an all-time high, with about 3,600 migrants attempting to cross between official ports of entry.
This surge is causing concern among local residents and straining the resources of U.S. Border Patrol agents, who are struggling to manage the influx. The increase is unlikely to slow down soon, as migrants continue to see the northern route as a viable, if perilous, way into the U.S.
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