RCMP, U.S. Border Patrol warn of dangers of crossing illegally during winter months
Posted October 10, 2024 3:18 pm.
Last Updated October 10, 2024 8:53 pm.
Every year, dozens of people try to cross the Canada-U.S. border. It’s the longest undefended border in the world, and the RCMP is responsible for protecting 520 kilometres of it. Despite this, people do manage to cross illegally.
RCMP and the United States Border Patrol are warning people not to cross, especially as Canada heads into the colder winter months.
“Every season the climate here changes from one drastic extreme to the other,” said Sergeant Lance Goldau with the Manitoba RCMP’s Integrated Border Enforcement Team. “In the summertime with temperatures of over 30 degrees, 40 degrees. And then in the winter, the same thing with minus 30s, minus 40s, and then you throw your wind chill to that, too … Winter for sure poses our biggest threat to the migrants that are trying to cross between the borders.”
Sergeant Goldau said although officers on both sides of the border are well-equipped and capable of rescues in even the most extreme conditions, it’s dangerous for everyone involved, but especially migrants.
“We have the technology and the equipment to prepare ourselves to venture into these extreme conditions. Many times what we’ve seen is that the migrants are uneducated and ill-prepared to really understand the dangers and risks that they pose when they try and cross,” said Sergeant Goldau.
So far this year, 85 illegal border crossings were stopped by border agents — a rise from last year’s number of 75.
“Those are the numbers that we actually apprehend crossing. We’re quite confident those numbers unfortunately are higher,” said Sergeant Goldau.
In many cases, border crossers are left to make the trek between Canada and the U.S. alone, as they get dropped away from the border and are forced to cross, until they meet someone waiting on the other side. With winter conditions including blizzards and snow drifts, the journey to the other side can prove fatal.
Two years ago in January, a migrant family from India died from exposure in weather at -35 degrees near the Emerson border while trying to cross into the United States. Border agents confirmed as recently as May, migrants have needed to be rescued when trying to cross. Even in warmer months like May, waters around the border are still freezing, meaning people can suffer from conditions like hypothermia.
“Whether you’re an investigator or a human being or Canadian, you never want to see tragedy happen to anybody. It’s definitely what brings us here today is to get that message out to anyone thinking about crossing the borders,” he said.
Not all crossings prove to be fatal, however they do come with steep legal rammifications.
At the end of September, RCMP and the U.S. Border Patrol arrested six people near the Emerson border, charging them with human smuggling.
“Without them, I think our job at the border would be extremely challenging,” said Sergeant Goldau.
“It’s life-threatening for everybody out here,” said Chief Patrol Agent Scott Garrett with the U.S. Border Patrol, “It’s serious for the smugglers, for the migrants coming across the border and for our officers as they respond.”
Adding, “This is not the time to cross. Do not risk your life. Do not risk your family’s lives crossing the border right now.”
