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The Canadian border is back in the news, with headlines proclaiming that illegal immigration there has suddenly spiked more than800 percentin one busy sector recent months. Amid a fresh outbreak of what-to-do-doism, the Biden administration redeployed 25 Border Patrol agents from the besieged southern border to the far northeast corner of Americas border with Canada, the Border Patrol's Swanton Sector (including New Hampshire, Vermont, and part of New York).

The agents are to intercept what appears to be a huge spike in crossings by mostly Mexican nationals flying over the United States into Canada and then crossing the border southward, along with other nationalities in smaller numbers.

But so far left out of public reporting and government responses is that the reason for the northern border surge is one particular Canadian policy that, if ever acknowledged, could be quickly and easily remedied between diplomats on both sides. But likely never will.

The catalyst of mainly Mexican northern border crossings is a policy that Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau implemented on December 1, 2016. On that day, Trudeau rescinded the requirement that Mexicans seeking to travel to Canada obtain visas. The prime minister replaced the visa requirement it with a pro-forma electronic travel authorization (eTA) visitors pass, a $7 online affair, that allowed Mexicans to fly in at will like most American citizens.

Now, Mexican nationals are using Trudeau's visa-free visitors pass in escalating numbers to fly in and then cross south into America.

They are doing so because, on the southern border, the Border Patrol is applying the last months of Title 42 rapid expulsions against most Mexicans, while admitting many of other nationalities under humanitarian parole. In short, Mexicans are at the bottom of the food chain right now among nationalities enjoying wholesale Biden administration admittances at the southern border. But those with the price of an air ticket have options.

Trudeaus fast-pass, visa-free loophole for Mexicans to fly into Canada may seem inexplicable unless seen through the prism of Canadian politics.

Trudeaus 2016 policy was a conspicuous reaction to Donald Trump's election weeks before. The visa requirement for Mexicans was there for good reason. Trudeaus predecessor put it in place in 2009 because prior to that Mexicans were abusing the visa waiver to stake bogus asylum claims on a mass scale. It obviously had to go.

Trudeau, though, happily returned that asylum abuse to pacify his progressive liberal base who treasured such abuse.

"Lifting the visa requirement will deepen ties between Canada and Mexico and will increase the flow of travelers, ideas, and businesses between both countries, Trudeau said in a November 2016 announcement about his plan to restore visa-free travel to Mexicans.

When he did it in December 2016, the result was both predictable andpredicted at the time. As Trump went to work to implement his border-tightening plans, the northern border experienced a significant spike, as Mexican nationals flew into Canada on their new $7 visa waiver, filed bogus asylum claims, and when they were declined, crossed south into the United States, just as they are doing once again.

CBP apprehension numbers showed a hefty increase in apprehensions of Mexicans at the northern border after Trudeau lifted the visa requirement. From 2013 through 2016, apprehensions of Mexicans ranged from about 1,400 to about 1,700 annually. Those numbers increased to 2,245 in 2018 and 2,101 in 2019.

The new surge of Mexicans at the northern border is shaping up as far worse than the earlier one during Trump, with 1,604 Border Patrol apprehensions in just the first five months of fiscal 2023.

Trudeaus 2016 policy toward Mexicans has almost certainly sparked off a new and bigger replay in 2023. And while its 1,604 apprehensions are infinitesimal compared to southern borders 253,701 apprehensions of Mexicans, there is ample cause for Americans to ask about the Trudeau policy and to question why the Biden administration, in many recent immigration meetings and summits with the Trudeau government, has never demanded its immediate end before the situation worsens.

By mid-July 2017, after Trudeau restored the visa waiver to Mexicans, leaked Canada Border Services Agency intelligence reports said Mexican cartel operatives "drug smugglers, human smugglers, recruiters, money launders and foot soldiers" were turning up in greater numbers than ever before. The cartels began facilitating the human smuggling business of other Mexicans south over the Americas northern border, just as they did all along the southern border.

Global News, which published the intelligence reports in July 2017, quoted them as saying Mexican crime groups such as the ultra-violent Sinaloa cartel had turned up in Canada and would "facilitate travel to Canada by Mexicans with criminal records".

Besides the Sinaloa Cartel, Mexican entrants were identified as belonging to La Familia Michoacana, Jalisco New Generation, and Los Zetas cartels.

For instance, whereas the reports said 37 Mexicans linked or possibly linked to organized criminal groups had entered between 2012 and 2015, 65 involved in "serious crimes" were identified midway through just 2017, compared to 28 in 2015. Another 15 Mexicans cited for national security problems were caught in the first six months of 2017, more than the two previous years combined.

By May 2019, at least 400 Mexican criminals connected to drug trafficking, including sicario hitmen, were plying their trades in Canada, at least half of them in Quebec, according to a May 24, 2019, report in the Toronto Sun and other Canadian media outlets. All had entered through the Trudeau loophole.

By the end of 2019, Canada saw a 1,400 percent spike in the number of bogus Mexican refugee claims, the vast majority naturally rejected, and of associated detentions.

It stood to reason that, when Canada declined Mexican asylum claims, they simply fled south over the thinly patrolled northern American border.

But that was then and this is now, right?

Except that now appears to be the same as then.

Starting in about fall 2022, southern border pressure once again seemed to be squeezing Mexican nationals and Mexicos cartel criminals into the Canadian pipeline.

Of course it would. While the Biden administration was turning back almost all Mexicans caught at the southern border under the pandemic-control measure known as Title 42, Mexicans saw illegal border-crossers from other nationalities obtaining quick release into the United States, often with parole and work permits.

From January to mid-October 2022, 7,698 Mexican asylum seekers took direct flights from Mexico City to Montreal, according to a November 2022 Canadian Press story. The paper quoted officials at nonprofit refugee assistance groups attesting to the fact that most fly to Canada because they found out about Trudeaus visa-free policy for Mexicans and that they could access government financial assistance while awaiting the outcomes of their asylum applications.

But most of their applications are rejected.

There should be little doubt that cartel operatives using bogus documents are once more using the Trudeau loophole not only to enter Canada, but to then take themselves and those who follow southward into the United States.

In their October 2021 book, The Wolfpack: The Millennial Mobsters Who Brought Chaos and the Cartels to the Canadian Underworld, journalists Peter Edwards and Luis Najera established that the Sinaloa Cartel now has a solid foothold across eastern Canada, with solid control of cocaine shipments in and out of Canada. The Arellano Felix group has its foothold in western Canada, particularly in Vancouver and in the state of Alberta.

The Zetas are in Canada involved with temporary migrant workers.

Asked in 2023 if Canadas importance to Mexican organized crime had increased in recent years, co-author Luis Najera answered an interviewer this way:

I would say it has increased since criminal cells moved up north to settle and expand operations here. It is also strategic to have groups operating north of the U.S. border, close to key places such as Chicago and New York, and without the scrutiny of the DEA and rival groups.

So there should also be little doubt that regular economic migrants are once againpaying the Mexican cartels in Canada to organize their southward crossings into the United States before or after they lose or abandon their pro-forma Canadian asylum claims.

The problem for the Mexicans is that Canada seeks to quickly deport those who are declined for asylum as most Mexicans are and who, knowing rejection is the most likely outcome, often abandon their initial claims rather than wait for the inevitable. Or dont bother filing them at all.

In summary, three factors explain why Mexicans are now surging south over the American border: Canadas policy allowing them easy, visa-free flights in, Canadas willingness to deport them after they inevitably become illegally present there, and an irresistibly alluring Biden administration policy that suspended almost every kind of interior deportation, creating a sanctuary nation sucking them southward out of Canada.

Similar circumstances are likely leading non-Mexicans to cross south from Canada.

More than half of the 2,856 apprehensions at the northern border in just the first four months of FY 2023 1,604 were Mexican nationals, according to CBP apprehension data, which includes another 17 nationalities and other. Those 17 nationalities accounted for an additional 1,095 apprehensions, while 157 made up the ambiguous other category.

For example, about 90 Romanian gypsies (also known as Roma) were apprehended crossing south from Canada in the first four months of 2023. This one is explainable. Trudeaus 2016 move restored visa-free visitation to Romanians, immediately sparking off flights into Canada and crossings over the southern border that obviously continue today.

But none of the other 16 nationalities are on Canadas visa-free list of more than 50 countries.

How could these 1,095 have gotten into Canada and, like the Mexicans and Romanians, enacted their southward illegal crossings?

There are two likely explanations. One is yet another Canadian loophole that illegal immigrants who are inside the United States can avail themselves of if they crossed the southern border and were rejected for American asylum.

A safe third country agreement between Canada and the United States prohibits anyone from claiming asylum if theyve already filed for it in either country.

But only if they try to claim it at an official port of entry.

American asylum rejectees can get a second bite at the apple if they illegally enter Canada between ports of entry. And a popular spot in upstate New York known as the Roxham Road crossing is flooded with illegal immigrants these days, presumably rejected U.S. asylum seekers, crossing to take a gamble on Canadian asylum.

But what happens when Canada rejects them and starts hunting them down for deportation?

Are these the non-Mexicans now starting to return to America, the sanctuary nation under Biden? Theres precious little media reporting on the question, but it seems likely.

A second possibility is that Trudeaus ambitious immigrant importation policy, which has flown in hundreds of thousands of foreign nationals from throughout the world, is responsible. After Trumps election, Trudeau put himself out to his base as the ultimate anti-Trump on immigration, rolling out what would become that nations most-ambitious-ever plan to admit immigrants, nearly one million over a three-year period.

Could some portion of those to whom Canada is granting entry never have intended to stay in that country, and be heading south into the United States?

That, too, seems likely.

In the knowledge that easily reversible policy choices are behind whats happening on the northern border, the Biden governments northward deployment of 25 Border Patrol agents should be seen as the empty gesture it is.

Those agents will do nothing to slow the gathering northern tide because their deployment treats the consequences of underlying causal policies and not the causal policies themselves, which are never even publicly discussed so that they can be addressed.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, like President Joe Biden, could easily flick the switches to off and end much of the influx almost overnight. Trudeau could reinstitute visas for Mexicans, for starters, with a wave of his hand. The Biden administration, perhaps thinking of Mexican cartel operatives flowing in with the illegal immigrants, could demand that move and negotiate a closure of the safe third country agreements land border loophole.

A March 7 meeting in Washington between DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and his Canadian counterpart, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser, shows none of that is likely to happen.

Both governments are run by progressive liberals who want as much immigration as possible, legal or otherwise. After his meeting with Mayorkas, Fraser indicated hes going to let it all ride when he told reporters that the northern border problem is not one that will respond to quick fixes.

Migration is a reality that were going to continue to deal with, Frasier said, indicating inaction.

Trudeau and Biden will get away with it, too, because American media seem disinclined to report anything about these causal Canadian policies or their consequences.

Original post:
The Canadian Policy Behind the Surge of Illegals and Mexican ... - Immigration Blog

Immigration reform is perhaps the most complex policy to enact, let alone enforce, without stepping on individuals' human rights or on the toes of a certain group of people.

I realize there is an undercurrent of tension right now as it relates to this delicate topic, but it's important to discuss. This is why, in my opinion, no one has the perfect solution or answers; not even major developed countries.

Nevertheless, elected politicians have an obligation and a duty to come up with a comprehensive approach and viable solutions in the best interest of Turks and Caicos Islands.

The impact of the recent pandemic has created even more of a nightmare for many countries around the world. As a result, many people are suffering and in dire straits of basic needs.

Amid the fears and instability in our neighboring country like Haiti, its pretty evident. As we can see, without intervention, it is forcing hundreds, if not thousands of illegal migrants, to risk their lives to reach our shores.

Years ago, political pundits were taken aback when the former premier (Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson) stated that she cannot stop the illegal Haitian sloops from coming. Although, not politically correct, it has proven to be factual. Despite their tireless efforts, with some progress being made in recent months, which political party has yet to show they can?

For decades our country has dealt with illegal immigration, primarily Haitian and Dominican Republic nationals, and there seems to be no real solutions or end in sight.

Recently, many other nationalities are seizing on the opportunities and taking advantage of the loopholes in our immigration system and porous borders. I'm inclined to believe we literally have thousands of undocumented immigrants living in our country under the shadows, be it from undetected illegal boats coming ashore or persons who have overstayed their visas.

The recent voters list published by Turks and Caicos SUN, which showed only 9,034 registered voters out of a population of approximately 45,000, could be indicative of the magnitude of our illegal immigration problems.

Currently, there are ongoing discussions of enlarging our franchise through a legal framework with descendants of Turks and Caicos Islands. Looking at it through this prism, although noteworthy, we ought to be careful not to rush this initiative. In doing so, it could be consequential. In the interim, why not deal with the problem at hand?

In a small island nation like Turks and Caicos Islands, unchecked immigration could threaten the very fabric of our society in terms of our culture, the burden on our existing welfare system, etc.

What we need is zero tolerance for illegal immigration. Although we are advocates for human rights, our country has a rule of law that must be adhered to.

In order to properly enforce our current laws and bring about real change, the government will need to have stronger checks and balances in place, in addition to implementing more aggressive deterrent tactics.

Such as, a better tracking system for overstayed visas under the Operation Guardian programme.

* Imposing hefty fines for hiring illegals or aiding and abetting illegal entry.

* Housing enforcement of make-shift shacks erected on vacant properties, be it government or private.

* Investing heavily in border control and protecting our sovereign water ways.

* Increasing unannounced worksite immigration inspections, etc.

It's unfortunate, but given the rapid decline of our indigenous population over the years and the construction boom, the country cannot continue to thrive and survive without foreign workers.

The reality is, our country does not have sufficient local labor force to meet the construction demands and the growing need for workers in the service industry.

The question is, at what point are we willing to accept this reality? I also believe there is a broader appetite by the public for the government to make some necessary amendments to our current immigration policies.

It's evident, the British government which is ultimately responsible for our external security, is only spoon-feeding us when we cry out.

Im afraid, the road we are currently on, it's putting the country in a very precarious position which will be difficult to rebound. With that being said, there are other options the government should also consider to help mitigate the internal and external impending threats.

The first option: Whilst developing bilateral security partnerships is great, lets ramp up the pressure on the British government to station their own coastguard ship in our waters on a semi-permanent basis. This will help to deal with the constant interceptions of illegal vessels and less reliance on the US and Bahamian Coastguard.

With our limited marine resources, why are we processing hundreds of illegal migrants on our shores? Our system was not designed to house and support such levels of immigration. The high cost of repatriation is draining our already strapped fiscal budget, which in turn creates other economic shortfalls for the country.

The second option: Consider passing an amnesty bill with a path to citizenship for those without criminal records who can prove they have entered the country prior to XYZ date.

For eligibility, such persons would have to provide some form of legal documentation, work history, passport and credible references.

Obviously, this will need to be a well thought out process and will require some kind of Think Tank committee to brainstorm this to see what the legal ramifications may be. It will also need to include our census bureau embarking on a countrywide effort for a more accurate headcount.

By doing this, we may accomplish a number of things, for one, it will decrease what I would characterize as the slave labor pool in our country. In addition, it will allow those who were once illegal to pay into our NHIB, NIB health and retirement system rather than draining it at our own expense.

The bottom line is, its a broken system and we cannot continue to kick the can down the road. If we operate the same way we will get the same results.

As we have seen over the years, even though many of these voyages could be very treacherous, these migrants are undeterred by the seemingly odds of dying to get to TCI.

Therefore, it is futile to just sit back, complain and think it will magically go away. Because, at the end of the day, they are here, living and working among us undetected and have been for years. Something unprecedented must be done.

Illegal immigration is a matter that should concern all of us. Whether or not we choose to confront the problem, or just put a bandaid on it, its definitely something we need to tackle head on.

* Ed Forbes is a native Turks and Caicos Islander, who spent 30 plus years studying and working in the USA. He holds an Associate degree in Criminal Justice and an Honorary degree in Criminology along with various legal and professional certifications in crime prevention and journalism. Ed resides in Grand Turk and is the co-founder and operator of Exclusive Escapes Tours.

The rest is here:
Illegal immigration, still a real threat in TCI - Turks and Caicos Sun

Source: SCMO

The Bishops' Conference of Scotland have issued the following statement today, in response to the UK Government's Illegal Immigration Bill.

"People come to the UK for a multitude of reasons. Numerous are driven from their homes by persecution, conflict, poverty, natural disasters, or lack of opportunities. Many of them attempt the extremely dangerous journey across the Channel to reach the relative safety of the UK.

Everyone would like to see the end of dangerous Channel crossings using small boats, however, the UK Government's Illegal Immigration Bill, the stated purpose of which is to bring an end to these crossings, raises more questions than it provides answers.

The Bill fails to provide sufficient detail on the establishment of more safe and legal routes for people seeking sanctuary in the UK. These routes, which are a lifeline to many desperate and vulnerable people, are essential if the Government is serious about ending perilous Channel crossings. Due to their very vulnerability many refugees and asylum seekers cannot possibly have all the necessary documentation with them. This proposed Bill will automatically force their removal regardless of how or why they came here.

There is also a pressing need for reform of the asylum process which currently has a backlog of hundreds of thousands of asylum applications. The Government must remember that behind each application is a human being. The establishment of asylum processing centres in France could help speed up the process and provide a safe, legal route for vulnerable people to come to the UK.

We call on the UK Government to provide an assurance that it will respect the terms of the European Convention on Human Rights, the Refugee Convention, and its obligations to victims of modern slavery.

These people are our fellow human beings, our brothers and sisters, and regardless of their immigration status their intrinsic dignity must be upheld."

See the rest here:
Scottish Bishops response to Illegal Immigration Bill | ICN - Independent Catholic News

OCPA really is doubling down on giving drivers licenses to illegal immigrants (by definition, repeat lawbreakers). So much for believing in the rule of law, eh?

Time to address illegal immigration, uninsured drivers

By Jonathan Small

Theres a link between illegal immigration and uninsured driving in Oklahoma. Those who enter our nation illegally cannot easily obtain auto insurance, yet they still drive on our roads every day. When those illegal immigrants are in a car accident, the other driver is then left footing the bill either out of pocket or through higher insurance premiums.

The best solution to this problem is for the federal government to control our nations borders. But, knowing that is not likely in the immediate future, state policymakers must take action to mitigate the harm caused by the federal governments failure.

One way to reduce a share of the problems created by illegal immigration is for Oklahoma state lawmakers to authorize drivers licenses for some illegal immigrantseven though that may sound counterintuitive.

Lawmakers in the Oklahoma Legislature have introduced House Bill 2114 and Senate Bill 669. Both measures would create a way for people who file taxes but are illegal aliens to receive an Oklahoma drivers license.

The license process would involve a few small differences from the normal process. First, the associated fees would be higher than for licenses issued to citizens.

Second, the licenses would clearly indicate the holder is a non-resident, which will prevent the licenses from being used as proof of citizenship or legal residency.

Third, the license information would be reported to voter registration officials.

There are several benefits to this proposal. Only those filing income taxesin other words, illegal immigrants who are gainfully employedwould benefit. Having a drivers license would make it easier for those individuals to obtain car insurance. By some estimates, if signed into law these legislative proposals could reduce uninsured driving in Oklahoma by up to 75 percent. That would benefit all Oklahomans and drive down our high auto-insurance rates, which are inflated today because of the routine cost-shifting created by uninsured drivers.

The bills also provide election-security safeguards. For the first time election officials would have data on non-citizens and could ensure those individuals are not on voter rolls and illegally voting.

I do not claim these proposals are ideal. In a nation where the rule of law was enforced and border security prioritized, these bills would not be necessary.

Oklahomans are rightfully angry about the flood of illegal immigration into our nation and state. The federal government has completely failed to secure our borders and also made it extremely cumbersome to obtain legal access to this country. Local families bear the burden of the resulting chaos in many ways.

But killing either of these two bills will not reduce illegal immigration. In contrast, passing them will help offset some harm created by illegal immigration. Its better for state policymakers to do whatever good they can, when they can, than to wait for years hoping the federal government will suddenly change course on border security.

Jonathan Small serves as president of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs.

More here:
OCPA column: Time to address illegal immigration, uninsured ... - Muskogee Politico

A number of people gathered in Leigh-on-Sea this weekend to hold a protest against the Government's Illegal Immigration bill. The protest, organised by All Rise Collective, saw attendees from across the political spectrum turn up.

Locals gathered outside the constituency office of the MP for Southend West, Anna Firth, on Saturday (March 18) to protest against comments made by the Tory politician. During a discussion about immigration, she said "one of the most common complaints" she hears is about the use of hotels to house asylum seekers whilst homelessness is on the rise.

Protesters brought paper boats and letters for people to sign and post to the Southend MP. The protesting group said they "felt a duty" to tell their MP "her actions are in contrast to the compassion she claims to have for vulnerable people".

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They added: "We wholeheartedly believe the Illegal Immigration Bill going through parliament and the language surrounding this bill is scapegoating the most vulnerable to distract voters from the Conservatives abysmal 13 years in power."

Ms Firth, the MP for Southend West, said in the Commons on March 7: "Constituents in Southend West will warmly welcome the fact that this Government are taking a clear stand against illegal immigration, breaking the business model that the vile people-smuggling gangs depend on and stopping the boats.

"However, one of the most common complaints I hear on the doorstep is about expensive hotels housing asylum seekers while homelessness, sometimes including our armed forces veterans, is on the rise.

"Does my right honourable and learned Friend agree with me that that is not just unfair on the British taxpayer, but deeply unfair on those genuinely in need who are waiting patiently and legally for a roof over their heads?"

Responding, the Home Secretary said: "My hon. Friend is absolutely right to speak for the good people of Southend West in the way she does. The reality is that we have far too many people coming here. They put pressure on our accommodation, and therefore we are now forced to accommodate them in the expensive hotel estate.

"That cannot continue. It is costly, it is inappropriate and, frankly, it is unfair on the asylum seeker, because it is no fit place to stay for an indefinite period of time."

The Government's new Illegal Immigration Bill has been widely criticised as being draconian, whilst the UN said it is a clear breach of the Refugee Convention. Under the new rules, those who arrive in the UK by crossing the Channel illegally will not be entitled to use Modern Slavery laws to prevent their removal.

Only unaccompanied children, those medically unfit to fly and "at risk of serious and irreversible harm" in the country they would be deported to will be allowed to stay in the UK. People face being sent to their homeland or a "safe third country" such as Rwanda, the Mirror reports.

Stephanie Golder from All Rise Collective said Annas policy on refugees is out of sight, out of mind. She doesnt want to see any more children drown in the Channel, but doesnt want to give those children a safe route to come to this country. Why are we punishing children for the choices of adults? The only way to stop gangs is to provide proper legal routes.

It is a disgrace that Anna brought up the plight of the homeless, when it is in fact a political decision by her own party not to house them and nothing to do with refugees. Her statement that criminals are pushing veterans to the back of the housing queue is based on no facts whatsoever, when ex-service personnel actually get priority for housing in Southend.

The Tories have come up with 43 schemes to deter small boat crossings and they have failed every single time. Rather than put a dent in the profits of gangs, we end up with more children dead in the Channel. We wont forget Annas callousness when we go to the polls.

You could give each person arriving by small boats a million pounds and it still wouldnt be as much as the government lost through Track & Trace and dodgy PPE contracts. Lets not allow the Tories to divide and rule through their cruel culture war.

Sarah Yapp from Southend-on-Sea Climate Coalition added: "Anna said that the small boats problem is part of a wider, global migration crisis and shes right this crisis is exasperated by her government not only selling billions of pounds of arms to human rights-abusing countries but also by refusing to take any real action on the climate crisis.

"With 1.2b climate refugees predicted by 2050, Annas government need to get a firm grip on the issue and ensure people will be safe in their own countries."

Southend-on-Sea City Council say the Park Inn by Radisson Place is operating as a bridging hotel with a capacity for up to 118 people who arrive in the UK from Afghanistan as part of the resettlement scheme. They also said there are 135 Ukrainians who have arrived in Southend.

Cllr Ian Gilbert, cabinet member for economic recovery, regeneration and housing and councillor lead for tackling the cost-of-living crisis, previously said: "These are challenging times. The council has worked extremely hard alongside local community and faith groups to support refugees arriving here from Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria and elsewhere. In many cases people are here owing to government decisions that the council has no say over. I am extremely proud of how we have responded to this challenge.

"Lack of affordable housing is a huge constraint in Southend, and we must be realistic about our capacity to help. Nevertheless, we will be positive about supporting people fleeing war and violence."

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Continued here:
Southend residents protest against Government's Illegal Immigration bill that would send refugees to Rwanda - Essex Live