Canada prepares for more asylum claims amid Trump’s new policies

A rising number of migrants are heading to Canada as the U.S. prepares for stricter deportation policies under President Donald Trump. Fearing raids and deportation, many undocumented immigrants are leaving the U.S. before their legal status ends.

Canada, known for welcoming newcomers, is now facing a real test. The border at Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle in Quebec is seeing more people every week. In March alone, over 1,300 asylum seekers arrived there. Many walked through forests and unsafe routes to avoid being turned back.

These people aren’t just numbers. They include families like Marie Jean-Louis, a Haitian mother of two. “ICE is everywhere—churches, workplaces, even the streets,” she said. “I can’t wait to be caught.” Her words show how scared many migrants feel.

Canada’s refugee system is under pressure. Processing asylum claims already takes years, and the backlog keeps growing. If even a small part of the 1.6 million losing U.S. status comes to Canada, the system could collapse.

Experts warn that the current numbers are only the beginning. More people are likely to arrive in the coming months, especially as their U.S. legal protections end. In early April, Canadian police even arrested two citizens accused of helping migrants cross illegally.

Shelters in Montreal are filling up. The Olympic Stadium, once used during the 2017 migrant wave, is back in use. But resources are limited, and support groups say they need help fast.

Canada has seen similar waves before. In 2017, many Haitians came through Roxham Road after their U.S. status ended. Back then, tent camps and temporary shelters helped manage the flow. But Roxham Road is now closed, and migrants are turning to riskier paths.

There’s also rising political tension. Some leaders want stricter border controls and even a pause on asylum claims. Quebec’s premier said the province can’t handle the pressure alone. “The federal government must act—or we will,” he warned.

Others, like migrant support workers, say turning people away isn’t the answer. “These are people running for their lives,” said one advocate. “We need more funding, better processing, and real support.”

Behind every number is a human story. Jean-Pierre, a Venezuelan father, crossed with his wife and daughter after hearing their U.S. status would end. “Canada was our only hope,” he said. They now wait in a Montreal shelter, hoping for safety.

More stories like his are unfolding. And with key deadlines approaching, Canada may see one of its biggest migration challenges yet. The question now is: can the country rise to meet it?