The Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle border crossing is seeing an increasing number of asylum seekers who want to leave the United States, where the Trump administration is threatening to deport them. In the midst of a federal election, fears of a new Roxham Road are at the heart of the debate. But behind the arrival of these migrants are human beings with individual stories, broken dreams, and hopes for a better life. La Converse went to Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle to meet them. Report.
Under the cloudy skies of early spring, all is quiet around the Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle border crossing. There is no sign of what has been going on here for several weeks. Yet, a few meters away, near a large sign welcoming everyone arriving from the United States to Quebec, lies the asylum processing center. There are no signs or notices to indicate that this concrete block—a gray, single-story building—houses the asylum processing center.
But nothing is happening in the early afternoon. We are a long way from the flow of people that could be seen on Roxham Road. The only people coming and going are security guards and police officers taking a break outside to smoke a cigarette or make a phone call.
Yet Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle is at the heart of the debates that are heating up the federal election campaign in Canada. On April 8, Quebec Immigration Minister Jean-François Roberge sparked controversy by stating, “Quebec cannot, on its own, take in all the world's misery.” He said he would not apologize for his statement, despite criticism and despite the fact that figures show that asylum applications are down 53% from the previous year (see box).
Since his election, Donald Trump has been on a veritable witch hunt against migrants. Last month, the US Department of Homeland Security decided to revoke the legal status granted to some 532,000 people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela by the Biden administration. They recently learned that their status will end on April 24, 2025. This is a real shock for these populations seeking asylum.
In addition, the Trump administration has said it wants to end the temporary protected status (TPS) of around 600,000 Venezuelans and 500,000 Haitians next August. However, this decision was suspended by two federal judges in Texas and New York on April 9. This is a major setback for the Republican president, who is dismantling one by one the programs put in place by his Democratic predecessor.
But this court decision may only be temporary, and many of those affected by these measures are looking for a place of refuge. Canada thus appears to be the only way out.
According to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), these announcements coincided with a sharp increase in the number of crossings at the Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle port of entry. There were 560 asylum claims in January, 755 in February, and 1,356 in March. From April 1 to 6, 557 applications have already been received at this border crossing, compared to 171 applications from April 1 to 6, 2024.
From Boston to Montreal: the journey of Hugues and his family in search of a new start
Around 7 p.m., there is finally some commotion around the asylum processing center at the border crossing. Several people are coming out through a gate. They are holding transparent folders containing documents and pulling suitcases behind them. While some rush into cars that drive away immediately, two people seem lost. They are Ketly and Hugues.
“I came to pick up my two brothers, their wives, one of whom is pregnant, and my one-year-old niece. I took my pickup truck, but there's not enough room for everyone, so the two of us are going to take an Uber,” says Ketly, who has lived in Montreal for over 30 years. As I'm also heading back to Montreal, I offer them a ride.
“With pleasure, you're our lucky star!” says Ketly enthusiastically as she gets into the car. ”You can welcome him! He's my brother, and he just got out of the center after two days of having his asylum application reviewed! He's been through a lot, he can tell you about it on the way if you want,” she explains, pointing to the young man getting into the back seat.
Despite his fatigue, Hugues is delighted to tell his story. He left Boston three days ago with his wife and daughter and took a bus to Plattsburgh, where he was met by his older brother and sister-in-law. Together, they took a taxi to the Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle border crossing and walked the last kilometer with their eight suitcases. “We spent 36 hours in the center. In fact, yesterday was my daughter's first birthday,” explains the 28-year-old Haitian in the lighthearted tone of someone recounting his latest trip to the movies.
When they arrive at the border, asylum seekers must go through several stages, for which some are more or less well prepared. “I did my research beforehand, so they had all the birth certificates and documents proving that I am their sister so that they could benefit from the exception. I was confident, I knew there wouldn't be a problem,” Ketly assures us.
Hugues admits that he was a little worried. After the initial screening, the family was asked to leave their luggage in a room set aside for that purpose, and each person was given a bracelet with a number on it. They were then called in for an initial interview with a border agent. “They asked us a lot of questions about our situation, what we planned to do here... but nothing difficult. Then we were taken to a large room with bunk beds everywhere; we were given a sheet each and something to eat. Not much, but it was enough,” says Hugues, who is keen to emphasize the kindness of the border agents.
The processing center operates 24 hours a day to cope with the influx of applicants. The night is short, and there aren't enough beds for everyone. The next day, during a second interview, a border agent calls Ketly. “He asked me a lot of questions! They consider that I am hosting five people, since the baby counts as an adult for them,” she says. The idea makes her burst out laughing.
“He asked me if I was really sure I wanted to take them all in. He said he understood about my brothers, but that with their wives, it might be too much for me. But I'm not going to tell my brothers to leave their wives! He wanted to know what I do for a living, how I'm going to pay for everyone while they're waiting for their papers, where they're going to live...” says Ketly. It's clear that she takes her role as the eldest sister very seriously and feels responsible for her brothers' successful immigration to Canada.
It must be said that her brother has already endured a long and difficult journey. In 2021, he attempted to travel to the United States for the first time, passing through Brazil and then Mexico on a month-long journey. When he arrived at the US border, he was detained and sent back to Haiti. The following year, he followed the same route and was detained by US immigration authorities for a month. But this time, he was allowed to stay in the United States.
Since then, he has settled in Boston, where one of his cousins lives. He brought his wife over and had his first child. “I was an Uber driver there. But my wife received a letter from Immigration telling her to leave. Going back to Haiti is not an option, it's too dangerous, I don't want that for my daughter,” he says.
It is 8:30 p.m. when we arrive at Ketly's apartment in northern Montreal. With stars in his eyes, Hugues discovers Montreal by night through the car window. By the time we get out of the car, his friend's van has pulled up. Fatigue is evident on the drawn faces of the other family members as they take suitcases out of the trunk. “They'll sleep well tonight!” Ketly jokes.
Unfortunately, not all asylum seekers are lucky enough to have a Ketly living in Canada. At the Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle border crossing, some are forced to turn back.
580 asylum seekers sent back to the United States as of March 5, 2025
“The police officers are overwhelmed because this wasn't planned, but the reality is that they're stuck with it, and I think some of them are getting impatient,” says Frantz André, a member of the Comité d'action des personnes sans statut (CAPSS, Action Committee for People Without Status). The organization works primarily with Haitian asylum seekers, who make up the majority of current arrivals, followed by Venezuelans. According to the activist, some are encountering obstacles when crossing the border at Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle. As of March 5, 2025, 580 people have been returned to the United States since the beginning of the year, according to the CBSA.
Frantz André recounts how a family was separated without reason last week. A couple and their six-year-old daughter were eligible for family reunification, according to the activist, who helped the family prepare their application. But only the father was ultimately allowed to cross the border, while his wife and daughter were reportedly sent back to the United States. “They told me that the officer threatened to revoke their legal US status, even though she has no authority to do so!” he says indignantly.
Thanks to CAPSS, a hotel room was paid for to accommodate the woman and child while a solution is found. They finally crossed the border with the help of smugglers and are currently in hiding. After two weeks in the country, she will be able to apply for asylum herself. “The smugglers make a lot of money, and we know that there are cases of sexual abuse, for example. But people borrow money from their families or loan sharks to try to survive, because we know that right now there is a civil war in Haiti. These people have no choice,” the activist emphasizes. In his view, Canada has a moral responsibility toward Haiti and its people.
Like many organizations such as Amnesty International, Frantz André denounces the Safe Third Country Agreement. This agreement applies to the entire land border and stipulates that a person must seek asylum in the first country deemed safe where they arrive. Immigrants arriving from the United States are therefore not allowed to apply in Canada. However, there are three exceptions: people with a family member living in Canada (parent, child, brother, sister), unaccompanied minors, and people who crossed the border irregularly and can prove they have been in Canada for at least 14 days.
“My position for several years has been that Canada should withdraw from this agreement because we signed the Geneva Convention in 1969 and we are not respecting it. A safe country is normally a country where you are safe, and that is not the case in the United States,” he says.
Frantz André is not alone in his efforts. Near the border, a citizens' committee has been active since 2017 to demand an end to this bilateral agreement.
In Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle, residents are torn between fear and solidarity
There is a sense of déjà vu for the residents of Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle and the surrounding area. The streets are deserted on this Thursday afternoon, but everyone knows what is happening not far away at the border crossing. “For now, there are no consequences for the community, because everything is being handled by the border service,” says Estelle Muzzi, the mayor of the municipality.
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According to the elected official, municipalities located near the border were approached by the federal and provincial governments as early as January. “We were told that we could share our concerns with them and that RCMP staffing had been increased. There are a lot of patrols, and there are also unmarked cars driving around to see if there are any smuggling networks. So they assure us that the border is very well secured,” explains Ms. Muzzi.
While the increased presence of RCMP patrols reassures some residents, others oppose it. This led to the creation of the Des Ponts pas des Frontières (Bridges Not Borders) citizens' committee in 2017 to express the community's support for asylum seekers. “Everyone who lives near the border received a flyer at their home telling them to alert the RCMP if they see anyone,” the organization said. This information was confirmed by Ms. Muzzi.
Police officers perched on ATVs in the middle of a clearing in the forest, a helicopter in the sky in the background—the photo on the front page of the flyer, a copy of which La Converse obtained, looks like something straight out of an action movie. “As a citizen living near the border, you can help us identify any suspicious persons or situations in order to prevent various offences or any form of crime,” the leaflet reads.
A phrase that irritates activists. “In this wording, there is a way of equating asylum seekers with criminals, which is not normal. It must be remembered that even those who cross the border irregularly, i.e., at an unofficial entry point, are not illegal under Canadian and international law,” they explain. The “examples of suspicious situations” that the RCMP is asking people to report are also surprising: “people being evasive about their destination,” “people walking with backpacks or suitcases,” or “a vehicle you don't recognize.” The organization refuses to participate in this type of measure and says that many residents themselves are regularly checked.
“New surveillance cameras have been installed on several roads, and some of us are being stopped by the RCMP for no reason. All this creates fear among some people, who call the RCMP as soon as they see someone near their home,” says one member. “For me, this is not the way to treat people who are fleeing a country that threatens us; it's inconceivable!”
Surveillance cameras are indeed visible on several roads, and the RCMP checked our vehicle twice while we were preparing this report.
For her part, Estelle Muzzi declined to comment on international political issues. Sitting at the large wooden table in the town hall, she nevertheless wishes to express her solidarity. “I feel great compassion for these migrants. All they want is to be able to live and work in safety. They are people who had legal status and had integrated, but Trump has taken all that away,” says the woman, referring to her Italian origins. I don't know how it will all end, but above all, it's human misery. It's not easy for anyone, not even the border agents. I imagine it must be heartbreaking for them to turn someone away.”
With Canada in the midst of a federal election campaign, several political parties have seized on the immigration issue.
Immigration at the heart of the election campaign
Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet was the only politician to visit the Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle border crossing last Thursday. “The federal government has completely abdicated its responsibilities in border management. (...) The border is a sieve, to the point where the Quebec government recently sent in the Sûreté du Québec to do Ottawa's job,” he said at a press conference.
The Bloc Québécois announced on that occasion that it was proposing the creation of a Minister of Borders to head the Border Services Agency. The party also wants to end the 14-day exception in the Safe Third Country Agreement, toughen penalties for smugglers, and allow border officers to patrol outside border crossings to assist the RCMP.
On the Liberal side, Mark Carney is hiding behind the Agreement and wants ineligible asylum seekers to be sent back to the United States. The current prime minister dismissed the Bloc's proposal for a Ministry of Frontiers: “We have just deployed drones, more personnel, and more helicopters, and it's working. So I don't think it's a good idea to create a new department.” The Liberal government has launched a $1.3 billion plan to strengthen border security by the end of 2024.
Conservative candidate Pierre Poilievre wants to sort out the good asylum seekers from the bad. “If [the person] can prove that they are a genuine asylum seeker, with no criminal record, and that they can contribute to our country, they should be able to stay here,” he said during his visit to Edmonton on April 8. However, he blamed the housing, employment, and health crises on “massive fraud involving international students, foreign workers, and fake asylum seekers.”
This statement sparked controversy when some media outlets revealed that the uncle of Anaida Poilievre, the Conservative leader's wife, crossed the Canadian border on foot twice—in 2004 and then in 2018 via Roxham Road—after his asylum application was denied in 2005. The New Democratic Party and the Green Party of Canada did not respond to our requests for comment.
Regardless, Hugues and his family want to stay positive and believe in a new start, the right one this time. “Canada was my dream to be with my sister. I'm ready to start over here, just like I did in the United States,” the young man says, as if making a promise to himself.
The Haitian activist is referring to Article 33 of the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, which prohibits the return of a person to a country ‘where his life or freedom would be threatened.’
Read more on the same topic:
- Family drowned in Akwesasne – Two years on, relatives face a failing asylum system for Roma
- Seeking asylum a few weeks before giving birth: Désirée's administrative nightmare
- Collectif Curry: asylum seekers become head chefs
Asylum applications down compared to 2024
Despite the alarmist tone of some politicians and commentators in recent weeks, the number of asylum applications received since the beginning of 2025 is down compared to the same period in 2024. Airports were the main point of entry for applicants at that time. Border officials had processed 5,246 asylum applications as of April 6, 2025, compared to 11,118 on the same date last year, a decrease of approximately 53%.
Ottawa has tightened immigration rules at airports. In February 2024, visas became necessary for some Mexican nationals, who were arriving in large numbers as tourists and applying for asylum upon arrival at the airport. The Trudeau government also made it more difficult for Indians to obtain tourist visas. Today, the land border is therefore the main point of entry for asylum seekers.
The Border Plan launched by the Trudeau government in December 2024 also sets targets for deportations. “The CBSA has increased the number of removals of people who are inadmissible to Canada to the highest level in a decade,” the agency said. Canada plans to maintain current levels of removals for 2025 and increase them by 25% in subsequent years.