Key Takeaways
• April 2025 saw 2,733 asylum claims at St-Bernard-de-Lacolle, almost quadruple the previous year’s number.
• Policy changes in the U.S., including ending temporary protected status for Venezuelans and Haitians, fuel migration north.
• Despite Quebec’s surge, national asylum claims in Canada from January–April 2025 fell to half compared to last year.
In April 2025, the St-Bernard-de-Lacolle port of entry, located just south of Montreal, saw a sharp rise in asylum claims that has drawn national and international attention. According to the Canada Border Services Agency, 2,733 people made asylum claims at this Quebec border crossing in April, more than twice the 1,356 claims from March. This figure is also more than three times higher than the 755 asylum claims that were recorded in February. When compared to April 2024, the increase becomes even more striking—just 670 claims were made during that period last year, meaning there has been an almost fourfold jump in the number of people seeking asylum at this single crossing.
This sudden surge has created a wave of concern for immigration officials, local communities, and policymakers in both the United States 🇺🇸 and Canada 🇨🇦. Many are asking what is driving so many people to seek protection in Canada 🇨🇦 through this specific border point, and what it might mean for the future of Canadian immigration, border security, and refugee protection.
Reasons Behind the Surge
The recent increase in asylum claims at the Quebec border crossing seems closely tied to changes in U.S. policy. Over the past several months, there have been efforts by President Trump’s administration to end the temporary protected status for about 600,000 Venezuelans and 500,000 Haitians living in the United States 🇺🇸. This legal protection had previously allowed these groups to live and work in the U.S. without fear of removal. Losing this status puts many people at risk of being sent back to countries where they may face hardship or danger.
For many affected by these changes, the future in the United States 🇺🇸 now looks uncertain. As a result, more people are turning their sights north and crossing into Canada 🇨🇦, hoping to claim protection there. The Quebec border crossing at St-Bernard-de-Lacolle has become a key gateway for these new arrivals. Local officials confirm that entire families are turning up, sometimes after long and difficult journeys, desperate for a safe place to stay.
This situation highlights how decisions in one country can quickly affect the movement of people across international borders. As policies change in the United States 🇺🇸, those seeking safety or a better life may look elsewhere if they feel no longer welcome or protected.
Comparing National and Local Trends
While the Quebec border crossing has seen a major surge, the Canada Border Services Agency points out a surprising national trend: overall, Canada 🇨🇦 has received about half as many asylum claims from January to April 2025 as it did during the same time last year. This means that, despite the local jump at the Quebec border, fewer people are making asylum claims across the entire country.
There are a few possible reasons for this national drop. One factor is the Agency’s own increased efforts to remove people who are found to be inadmissible—that is, those who do not meet the requirements to stay in Canada 🇨🇦. The Agency reported that it has stepped up removals, which may discourage some people from trying to make claims in the first place.
Another key element is the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) between Canada 🇨🇦 and the United States 🇺🇸. Under this agreement, people seeking asylum must claim protection in the first “safe country” they enter. Since both Canada 🇨🇦 and the United States 🇺🇸 are considered safe countries, most asylum seekers who first arrive in the U.S. are not supposed to make a claim at a Canadian crossing—unless they qualify for an exception, such as having close family in Canada 🇨🇦. As of May 2025, the Canada Border Services Agency reports that it has sent 1,439 claimants back to the United States 🇺🇸 under the rules of this agreement.
Historical Patterns in Border Crossings
Canada 🇨🇦 has long experienced changes in the number of people trying to cross its borders to seek asylum. One major trend began in 2017, after the first election of President Trump. With the U.S. making changes to some immigration rules, more people began looking to Canada 🇨🇦 as a safe option. Between 2017 and mid-2020, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) recorded a total of 59,658 people crossing into Canada 🇨🇦 at locations outside official ports of entry. Many of these arrivals were families with children, often fleeing violence or political problems in their home countries, worried that changes in the United States 🇺🇸 could leave them with no safe home.
Roxham Road, a strip of road connecting the United States 🇺🇸 to Quebec 🇨🇦, became the most famous “unofficial” entry point. Over the years, more than 100,000 asylum seekers entered Canada 🇨🇦 through this area. However, in 2023, Roxham Road was closed permanently. The closure forced many people to try other ports of entry, such as the St-Bernard-de-Lacolle crossing, and may have contributed to the recent rise in asylum claims at these more official border points.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, border crossings for asylum dropped sharply. Travel was restricted, and fewer people tried to make their way from the U.S. into Canada 🇨🇦. The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada processed only 356 irregular entrants in the second quarter of 2020, down 90 percent from the previous quarter. This sharp fall shows how quickly global events and health emergencies can affect movement across borders.
The Asylum Process in Canada
For people seeking safety in Canada 🇨🇦, the process begins with making an asylum claim with the government, often right at the border or soon after arrival inside the country. As explained on the official website for asylum claims in Canada, people must show that they have a well-founded fear of persecution in their home country—this could be due to their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or simply being part of a group that is targeted.
The Canada Border Services Agency is usually the first government office that meets an asylum seeker at a border crossing. Its officers check the papers, ask questions, and decide if the person can make a claim in Canada 🇨🇦, or if they need to be returned to the United States 🇺🇸 under the Safe Third Country Agreement rules.
If someone’s claim is accepted for processing, the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) will hold a hearing. A trained decision-maker listens to the asylum seeker’s story and evidence. Some claims are approved, meaning the person can stay in Canada 🇨🇦 as a refugee. Others are refused, and these individuals may be removed from the country.
The Human Side of Asylum Seeking
The numbers give one part of the story, but each asylum claim is tied to a person or family often facing hardship. New arrivals at the Quebec border crossing speak of long journeys, fear, and hope for a better life. Community organizations in Quebec 🇨🇦 and Montreal work hard to help with food, shelters, and legal advice, but the sudden increase in asylum seekers puts stress on these resources.
Local welcome centers and volunteers try to help families feel safe and supported. Still, many face long waits for their claims to be heard, and the uncertainty leaves them anxious about their futures. For those sent back to the United States 🇺🇸, disappointment and fear are common, especially if they feel their prospects for asylum or work there have recently become less secure.
Political and Social Reactions
The recent increase in claims at this Quebec border crossing has sparked debate among Canadian lawmakers and the public. Some politicians and groups worry that a high volume of claims could strain social services in Quebec 🇨🇦 and elsewhere in the country. They call for more resources for border security and quicker claim processing.
Others argue that Canada 🇨🇦 has a duty to help those fleeing hardship, in line with its long tradition of welcoming people in need. Community and church groups in Montreal and southern Quebec 🇨🇦 have called for compassion and practical support for new arrivals. These differing perspectives reflect ongoing debates about immigration and refugee policy, as well as the balance between border control and humanitarian responsibility.
Impacts on Borders and Beyond
Local communities near the Quebec border crossing feel the impact most directly. Towns near St-Bernard-de-Lacolle have seen higher numbers of people arriving each day. This has led to more work for police, the Canada Border Services Agency, and local officials, who must organize transportation, shelter, and safety for both new arrivals and local residents.
There are also broader questions about how long this surge might continue. Will the changes in U.S. immigration policy prompt even more families to seek safety in Canada 🇨🇦? Or will new border measures slow the flow? Officials are watching closely and preparing for different possibilities.
At the same time, as reported by VisaVerge.com, many experts believe that immigration and refugee trends will keep shifting as global events, economic pressures, and political decisions in the United States 🇺🇸 and other countries change. What happens next at the Quebec border crossing could be a sign of things to come for Canada’s 🇨🇦 entire immigration system.
The Role of International Agreements
The Safe Third Country Agreement, signed between Canada 🇨🇦 and the United States 🇺🇸, is one of the most important rules shaping how and when people can make asylum claims. The idea behind this agreement is that refugee protection is available in both countries, so people should make their claim in the first country they arrive in. But in practice, many argue that family ties, language skills, or fear of removal in the United States 🇺🇸 mean Canada 🇨🇦 remains the better—or sometimes only—option for some claimants.
Human rights groups and some legal experts are calling for changes or an end to the agreement, saying it can make people take dangerous risks, such as crossing at remote or unofficial locations, to avoid being sent back. The closing of Roxham Road in 2023 and the increased attention on places like St-Bernard-de-Lacolle show how border rules and agreements can shape travel paths and even increase dangers for people on the move.
Looking Ahead
What does the future hold for the Quebec border crossing and asylum claims more widely across Canada 🇨🇦? Much depends on changes in the United States 🇺🇸, both legal and political. If protections for groups like Venezuelans and Haitians keep ending, there could be even bigger numbers of people trying to reach Canada 🇨🇦. At the same time, Canada’s own rules about removals and who qualifies for protection are likely to affect how many claims are accepted and processed.
Immigration experts and government agencies will keep tracking these trends closely. The Canada Border Services Agency will play a central role in managing arrivals and removals, ensuring that rules are followed while also balancing humanitarian concerns.
For people seeking protection, the journey remains uncertain and often risky. But for now, the numbers at the Quebec border crossing stand as a clear sign of the pressures facing the immigration and refugee systems in both Canada 🇨🇦 and the United States 🇺🇸.
Whether these numbers keep rising, or new agreements bring changes, one thing is clear: the movement of people looking for safety and a better life will remain a challenge—and an opportunity—for Canada 🇨🇦 and its neighbors.
If you or someone you know wants more information about making an asylum claim in Canada 🇨🇦, you can find clear steps and explanations on the Canadian government’s asylum claims page. For ongoing coverage and updates on these changes, VisaVerge.com provides detailed reporting and analysis to help readers keep track of developments.
To sum up, spikes in asylum claims at the Quebec border crossing are closely linked to changes in United States 🇺🇸 policy, local and international agreements, and wider global events. The coming months will likely see more policy debates and changes, as officials in Canada 🇨🇦 try to balance fairness, responsibility, and national security.
Learn Today
St-Bernard-de-Lacolle port of entry → A major border crossing between Quebec, Canada, and the U.S., now central to asylum claim surges in 2025.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) → A U.S. legal status that allows individuals from designated countries to live and work temporarily, recently revoked for many.
Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) → A bilateral agreement requiring asylum seekers to request protection in the first safe country they enter, U.S. or Canada.
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) → A tribunal responsible for deciding asylum claims and appeals for refugee protection within Canada.
Irregular Entrant → A person who enters a country outside official channels, often seeking asylum outside designated ports of entry.
This Article in a Nutshell
In April 2025, the Quebec border witnessed a record surge in asylum claims, driven by U.S. policy changes and international agreements. This sharp increase strains local resources and raises questions about Canada’s ability to balance humanitarian commitments with national security, highlighting global influences on migration trends in North America.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• Work ban linked to rise in sex work among UK female asylum seekers
• UK visas face new limits as government targets asylum claims
• UK to tighten study visas over rising asylum claims
• UK targets visa abuse as Pakistani nationals lead in asylum claims
• UK National Audit Office warns asylum accommodation costs to triple
