A group of migrants from Jordan, Sudan, Chad, and Mauritania were apprehended near Emerson, Man. while attempting to cross into Canada illegally.
The group, discovered via aerial surveillance, included individuals ill-prepared for the region’s freezing temperatures. Emergency services were called with at least one ambulance dispatched to provide medical assistance.
Authorities confirmed that all six individuals were arrested and transferred to the custody of the Canada Border Services Agency.
The crossing comes as the federal government implements a $1.3 billion initiative aimed at addressing illegal crossings and other threats. These measures include 24/7 aerial surveillance using helicopters, drones, and mobile towers.
According to the Manitoba RCMP, two Black Hawk helicopters first began monitoring the border on Jan. 17.
“They are being used to patrol, detect, and respond to both north and southbound threats at the Canada-U.S. border, ultimately preventing illegal crossings of people, goods and drugs,” reads an RCMP press release.
The upgraded surveillance systems, which played a key role in spotting the group near Emerson, are a cornerstone of the government’s response.
Additionally, the federal government is also rolling out a dedicated “strike force” to improve response times and operational coordination.
The arrests come just as U.S. President Donald Trump, a staunch critic of Canada’s lax attitude towards illegal cross-border trafficking, has repeatedly called on Canada to tackle illegal migration and the drug trade, warning that failure to act would result in tariffs.
In response, the Liberal government has said it is committed to addressing the U.S.’ concerns by prioritizing slowing the flow of fentanyl, equipping law enforcement with advanced tools, and improving the inspection of exports to combat illicit trafficking.
The measures also aim to reduce illegal migrant crossings into the U.S. while enhancing information-sharing between agencies.
Despite Ottawa’s announcement of renewed border measures, Trump has not indicated that he would not follow through on his tariff threats.
