Amidst the repercussions of anti-immigration policies spearheaded by former President Donald Trump, the Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle border crossing in Quebec has experienced a significant surge in asylum applications this summer.
In July 2025 alone, the border crossing received a staggering 3,493 applications, marking a fivefold increase compared to the same period in the previous year. The trend continued into August, with 1,370 applications submitted by Aug. 24, a stark contrast to the mere 433 applications received throughout the entire month in 2024.
This spike in asylum applications can be directly attributed to recent decisions made by the U.S. government, particularly under the Trump administration, which included the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for over 500,000 migrants. Among them, approximately 320,000 Haitians were instructed to leave the United States starting in September.
Although a federal judge has extended the deadline for these deportations until Feb. 2026, the looming uncertainty and fear of expulsion are compelling many migrants to seek refuge in Canada.
Stripped of legal protections in the U.S., some individuals are turning to Canada to make asylum claims, bypassing the Safe Third Country Agreement. Exceptions within this agreement allow claimants with family ties in Canada to still pursue asylum, leading to a surge in arrivals at the Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle border crossing.
The heightened influx of asylum seekers at Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle has been apparent since the beginning of the year, with a total of 12,498 asylum claims filed between Jan. 1 and Aug. 24, 2025. This figure represents more than double the number of claims lodged during the same period in the previous year.
While land entries have increased in comparison to 2024, they remain lower than the traffic seen when Roxham Road was accessible. Quebec continues to serve as the primary entry point to Canada, with approximately three-quarters of new applicants choosing this route due to its strategic geographic location, facilitating a safer and more accessible crossing.
Asylum claims on the decline across Canada
While the Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle crossing witnesses a surge in asylum applications, other entry points into Canada are experiencing a decline in arrivals.
This nationwide decrease is primarily attributed to a sharp reduction in asylum seekers arriving by air. Between January and June 2025, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) processed 6,275 applications at airports, marking a significant decrease from the 27,840 applications processed during the same period in 2024, representing a decline of 78 percent.
Additionally, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) intercepted 701 individuals who irregularly crossed the border, including 441 in Quebec, mirroring the data from the equivalent period in 2024.
Concurrently, the rise in asylum claims at Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle has been accompanied by a notable increase in removals to the United States under the Safe Third Country Agreement.
