How Trump’s mass deportation strategy could impact Canada

During his campaign, Donald Trump advocated for extensive deportations, and recent headlines indicate that following his re-election, he aims to fulfill those promises.

Reuters reported that Trump is expected to mobilize every agency he can from across the U.S. government to assist in deporting a record number of immigrants according to six former Trump officials and allies. 

In an interview with NBC News following his victory, Trump explained to the news outlet that the country needed to "make the border strong and powerful." When asked about cost he replied: "It’s not a question of a price tag. It’s not — really, we have no choice. 

While mass deportations may sound good to some U.S. voters, the reality of what the former president might do once he's back in the White House could spell disaster for Canada, where officials are concerned about an increase in asylum claims on its border.

On November 7th, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he planned to re-establish the Cabinet Committee on Canada-U.S. Relations following the reelection of Trump. One of the key focuses of the committee will be Trump’s mass deportation plan. 

Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who is also a chair of the revived committee, told journalists on November 8th that figuring out what Trump’s deportation plan would mean for Canada was one of the committee's top priorities. 

"I do want Canadians to know it is one of our two central points of focus," said after the committee met for the first time since the end of Trump’s first term in office according to the Associated Press. 

Freeland added that controlling the Canadian border was fundamental for the country’s security. “Canadians are right to be concerned about it,” she explained. But how bad of a situation is the country facing?

While it is difficult to know what will happen if the next Trump administration does target a wide variety of undocumented workers and immigrants, academics do have some idea of what Canada may face if Trump’s mass deportation plan comes to fruition. 

Jennifer Elrick is an Associate Professor of Sociology at McGill University who studies immigration policy and explained to CBC News that Canadians can expect a rise in both asylum claims and clandestine crossings. 

Trump’s second term could have a "profound impact on Canada's borders," Elrick said, and CBC News pointed out that Canada saw a marked rise in new arrivals after Trump took office in 2017. 

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have been preparing for what a victory for Trump could spur on the country's border with the United States for months according to RCMP Sgt. Charles Poirie Sgt. Charles Poirie, who operates out of Montreal.

"We're ready with different types of scenarios, whether it be just a few individuals or a massive influx," explained in an interview according to CBC News. However, Canadian authorities may still need to be ready. 

Canada has already seen a recent rise in illegal crossing into the U.S. from Canada Sgt. Poirie said, but he is concerned that the increase in following into America could change its course and illegal crossing into Canada could see a rise. 

“If people start crossing everywhere on the territory like the southbound are doing, that is going to be much more difficult," Sgt. Poirie said. 

"It's going to be a complete game changer because those people will still have to be brought to a central facility. But our officers, we'll be running across the territory to catch them." Sgt. Poirie said.

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