Quebec border crossing sees 277% surge in asylum claims

The Canada Border Services Agency says it is prepared for an surge in asylum seekers after claims spiked over 277% at a major Quebec border crossing in July since last year.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

The Canada Border Services Agency says it is prepared for an surge in asylum seekers after claims spiked over 277% at a major Quebec border crossing in July since last year.

Data from the CBSA shows 10,724 asylum claims at the Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle port of entry as of July 27, more than double the 5,077 recorded during the same period in 2024.

July saw the sharpest increase, with 3,089 claims, up from 818 last year.

Despite the spike at Lacolle, overall asylum claims in Quebec have dropped to 14,874 applications so far in 2025, down from 22,337 by the same time last year.

Nationwide, asylum claims have also fallen 46 per cent, from 41,187 to 22,237.

The CBSA stated it remains "well below our processing capacity," and that 12 trailers set up near the Lacolle crossing in June, including waiting and sanitation stations, are not currently in use.

The agency added it is ready to deploy more officers and lease additional processing space if needed.

The RCMP confirmed Wednesday a "notable increase in illegal entries," particularly in the region covered by its Valleyfield Detachment, warning that unauthorized crossings are unlawful.

The CBSA said 1,753 people have been deemed ineligible for asylum so far this year under the STCA, compared to 2,462 in 2024. The agency also removed more than 18,000 inadmissible individuals last fiscal year, the highest total in a decade.

As of July 27, the top nationalities of asylum seekers at Canada’s land borders included citizens of Haiti, Venezuela, Colombia, and Pakistan.