According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection statistics released on Thursday, the number of migrants apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol after crossing into the United States from Canada hit a low point last month, the lowest since 2022.
During the same period, the number of individuals apprehended after entering Canada from the U.S. showed a slight increase.
In February, the U.S. Border Patrol detained 481 individuals near the Canada-U.S. border, compared to 616 in January and a high of 3,601 in June of the same year.
The Customs and Border Protection spokesperson did not offer an immediate comment, attributing the decline in border crossings to a change in enforcement approaches between Canada and the U.S. aimed at deterring asylum-seekers, in effect since the passing of a new agreement.
Although Canadian law enforcement lacks jurisdiction over individuals entering the U.S., Canada has taken steps to strengthen its border due to pressure stemming from U.S. President Donald Trump's trade tariffs. Canada has implemented a C$1.3-billion border plan and designated a fentanyl czar.
On another front, the number of migrants caught illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in February was at a near-record low.
Conversely, Canadian authorities reported an increase in intercepting individuals heading north from the U.S. and returning them in February, with a total of 126 individuals – the highest monthly count within a year, based on data from the Canada Border Services Agency obtained by Reuters.
Canadian authorities have been anticipating a potential surge of migrants heading northward to evade possible mass deportations under the Trump administration.