TikTok users are now advertising their easy ability to illegally smuggle Indian temporary residents and others from Canada into the US using unofficial points of entry.
Radio-Canada recently conversed with one of these accounts anonymously using WhatsApp in Punjabi to get more information on the illicit service.
“We do it every day. It will take one hour to arrive at the destination. From there you need to walk 40 minutes through the jungle,” said the anonymous user, who confirmed that they resided in Brampton, Ont.
“Is it safe?” asked Radio-Canada.
“Yes brother. It is not our first time,” they replied, before elaborating that the trip would be a “40 minutes through the jungle.”
There are at least a dozen TikTok accounts currently advertising the illegal service of guiding Indian temporary residents from Canada into the US, promising safe passage via Montreal, Brampton or Surrey, B.C.
The smugglers offer the service for anywhere between $1,500 to $5,000, which can be paid after arrival and some accounts even offer group rates.
One of these accounts boasts over 360,000 followers on TikTok and appears to be geared primarily toward Indian students living in Canada.
Some videos contain testimonials from previous customers in the comment section.
“Brother, we have come to the U.S. from Canada. And we have just arrived. We have come through brother Harry. His [service] is outstanding. We have come through very easily,” said one man in Punjabi, covering his identity with a Canadian flag.
Another past customer who crossed into New York State through Montreal in August said that they reached their destination “absolutely safe.”
“Brother Harry made us cross and we reached [our destination] absolutely safe. The way was safe. After walking for around 25 minutes, we reached our destination comfortably. We paid all the money later,” she said.
Such TikTok accounts emerge as the number of irregular entries into the U.S. from Canada has grown exponentially in recent years.
U.S. Customs and Border Patrol recorded 189,402 migrant encounters at the Canada-U.S. border in 2023, up 73% from the previous years and 597% from 2021 when there were only 27,180 such encounters.
US authorities released a statement condemning the practices being carried out by “transnational criminal organizations” that are “claiming the borders are open and offer the northern border as a way to enter the U.S.”
“Smugglers and bad actors continue to spread falsehoods and show complete disregard for the safety and well-being of vulnerable migrants,” said Steven Bansbach, a spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
“[The U.S. Department of Homeland Security] is removing Indian nationals without a legal basis to remain, including via charter removal flights.”
The bulk of those apprehended at the border are Indian or Bangladeshi, who were previously living in Canada on either student or tourist visas.