CBSA Steps Up 2025 Crackdown, Targeting Illegal Immigrants in Canada

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has stepped up its crackdown in 2025. The agency is targeting illegal immigrants, unauthorized workers, and employers breaking immigration laws. Across the country, officers are conducting early-morning raids, surprise inspections, and joint investigations with local police.

Officials say these actions respond to growing problems such as illegal employment, human smuggling, and long deportation delays. The campaign also aims to restore order amid housing shortages and pressure on public services.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has backed the effort with $617.7 million in funding to hire 1,000 new CBSA officers. The goal is clear — strengthen the border system and remove those violating immigration rules.

Thousands Missing Despite Removal Orders

A serious challenge has emerged. CBSA reports losing track of more than 29,000 people ordered to leave Canada. Most cases involve Ontario and Quebec, raising concerns about system loopholes. Among these, officials identified over 600 convicted criminals.

Mexico tops the list of missing deportees, followed by India, Nigeria, and Haiti. Many work in underground industries such as construction and hospitality.

To close these gaps, the agency now uses digital tracking, artificial intelligence, and electronic monitoring for low-risk cases.

2025 Raids Making Headlines

Ontario Construction Raids:
In Oshawa, a joint operation between CBSA and provincial police exposed hundreds of unauthorized workers in the landscaping sector. Three companies received heavy fines after admitting to illegal hiring.

Calgary Construction Sweeps:
CBSA teams, working with Calgary Police, detained several undocumented workers at building sites. Investigators plan more than 200 checks by the end of the year.

Montreal Smuggling Bust:
In Quebec, officers arrested 25 hospitality workers in a human smuggling case involving Congolese nationals. The operation also uncovered fake passports and identity documents.

Fraser Valley Inspections:
In British Columbia, checks on farms and seafood plants found workers trapped in debt-bonded jobs. Social media users shared clips of CBSA vans near Vancouver businesses, sparking online debate.

GTA Fraud Investigation:
A Peel-Halton probe called “Project Undeliverable” led to eight arrests and 344 charges. Officers recovered stolen cheques, credit cards, and fake IDs. The suspects now face deportation proceedings.

Advice for At-Risk Immigrants

Legal experts urge out-of-status immigrants and temporary residents to act fast. Anyone working without valid permits faces detention, fines, or deportation.

Those awaiting visa extensions under “implied status” can stay legally until a decision arrives. People with deep ties to Canada may apply for permanent residency on humanitarian grounds, but success rates remain low.

Officials also warn against cash jobs, which expose workers to exploitation. Employers caught hiring undocumented staff can face fines of up to $100,000.

If detained, individuals must contact a lawyer or legal aid clinic immediately. CBSA guarantees a hearing within 48 hours. For those in unsafe jobs, the Border Watch Line (1-888-502-9060) allows anonymous reporting of fraud or smuggling.

Looking Ahead

CBSA’s long-term goal is to reach 20,000 removals per year by 2027. The agency plans to mix strict enforcement with fairness, using technology to track cases better and process appeals faster.

While many Canadians support the tougher stance, others urge compassion for those seeking a better life. The debate continues as the country weighs security against its humanitarian image.

CBSA’s message remains firm: Canada welcomes legal immigration but will enforce the law to protect its system and citizens.