On Christmas evening, nineteen Haitian migrants were apprehended in Montérégie’s Havelock area for crossing the border from the United States into Canada without authorization. The group, ranging from a one-year-old child to a 60-year-old adult, also included a three-year-old.
Canadian authorities were alerted by the United States Border Patrol shortly before 6 p.m. on Thursday. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) received the report and swiftly mobilized. Working tirelessly, officers from the Champlain Integrated Border Police Team and Valleyfield IBPT located a hidden group of 15 individuals in the woods before 7 p.m. The search continued until around 10:30 p.m. as they tracked down the remaining members on the frigid night.
Eight individuals, including six with frostbite, were hospitalized. Two children were also taken for precautionary measures, with authorities confirming their well-being.
All intercepted migrants have applied for asylum, with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) now overseeing their cases. Additionally, a man suspected of attempting to pick up some migrants with his vehicle was arrested, and his car was impounded.
The RCMP used this incident to caution against the peril of illegal border crossings, particularly during winter when the harsh conditions pose significant risks to individuals ill-prepared for the cold.