Nearly 30,000 Individuals Evading Deportation Orders in Canada, Border Agency Data Reveals

Canada is facing a significant immigration enforcement issue, with almost 30,000 individuals currently evading deportation orders, according to newly released data from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). This troubling statistic, disclosed following a request by Fort McMurray-Cold Lake MP Laila Goodridge, highlights ongoing concerns over the country’s immigration control and border policies.

As of October 21, 2024, CBSA records show that a total of 29,731 individuals have absconded after being issued deportation orders. These individuals include those who failed to attend their immigration hearings or who have active warrants against them.

Ontario emerges as the province with the highest number of absconders, accounting for 21,325 of the missing individuals. Quebec follows with 6,109 cases, while British Columbia, Alberta, and other provinces report far fewer instances.

The total number of people in various stages of deportation as of October 2024 is staggering, with 457,646 individuals involved in some phase of removal. The breakdown of this total includes:

• 27,675 in the final stages of deportation.
• 378,320 individuals under active monitoring, either waiting for refugee status decisions or facing unenforceable deportation orders.
• 20,921 individuals granted a temporary stay on their removal proceedings.
• 29,731 individuals whose whereabouts remain unknown.

The data also highlights the countries of origin for those successfully deported from Canada, with Mexico leading the list at 7,622 removals. Other significant deportations include 3,955 from India, 1,785 from the United States, 1,516 from China, and 864 from Pakistan.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently announced that Canada plans to reduce its immigration targets in the coming years, lowering the goal from 500,000 new immigrants in 2025 to 395,000 by the year 2026. This adjustment is part of a broader effort to manage population growth amidst an affordability crisis.

The government is also encouraging voluntary departures for individuals whose temporary status in Canada has expired. A CBSA spokesperson emphasized that foreign nationals are expected to respect the conditions of their entry and depart at the end of their authorized stay. Detention, the spokesperson added, is only considered a “measure of last resort.”

As the issue of absconding deportees continues to grow, critics argue that the Canadian government must implement stronger enforcement measures to ensure compliance with immigration laws. Meanwhile, others are calling for systemic reforms to address underlying issues, such as delays in refugee claim processing and removal orders.

With nearly 30,000 individuals evading deportation orders, the challenge for Canada’s immigration authorities remains complex and pressing, as the country seeks to balance immigration management with humanitarian considerations.

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