Canada on High Alert: 599 Foreign Criminals Missing Amid Deportation Orders, Sparking National Security Concerns
Canada is facing an escalating public safety crisis: 599 foreign nationals, including 431 convicted of serious crimes, have disappeared while under deportation orders. These individuals, once under the supervision of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), are now officially “wanted” after failing to appear for removal proceedings — exposing serious vulnerabilities in Canada’s immigration enforcement and border security systems.
This alarming revelation raises critical concerns about the effectiveness of tracking, detaining, and deporting foreign offenders, some of whom have been evading authorities for years or even decades.
The Scope of the Crisis
Out of 1,635 foreign nationals convicted of crimes in Canada and facing removal, 599 are missing and unaccounted for, according to the CBSA’s latest report. Notably:
- 431 are classified as serious offenders, convicted of crimes punishable by 10 years or more — including sexual assault, forcible confinement, and violent offences.
- 315 have been missing for over three years.
- 46 have remained undetected for over two years.
Among the remaining individuals:
- 401 are currently incarcerated and will be removed after release.
- Others are under community supervision or electronic monitoring.
Legal Framework and Enforcement Gaps
The CBSA operates under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, which allows criminal foreign nationals to appeal deportation orders. These appeals can extend for years, giving offenders time to disappear or integrate into communities using false identities or family support networks.
While 29 individuals are currently detained due to high risk of flight or danger to public safety, the rest remain in communities across Canada.
The 2011 “Wanted by CBSA” webpage, which helped engage the public in locating missing individuals, was discontinued in 2023. Since then, CBSA has not provided a comparable public tool to aid in tracking offenders.
Geographic Distribution of Missing Individuals
As of May 15, 2025:
| Region | Wanted (Missing) | Removal in Progress |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Toronto Area | 20,472 | 10,928 |
| Quebec | 7,934 | 15,457 |
| Pacific | 1,357 | 1,547 |
| Prairie | 869 | 1,288 |
| Northern Ontario | 849 | 823 |
| Southern Ontario | 369 | 177 |
| Atlantic | 50 | 122 |
| Not yet assigned to region | 55 | 455 |
| Total | 31,955 | 30,797 |
Who Are These Missing Individuals?
Many of the missing individuals have longstanding criminal records, and some are connected to organized crime groups and transnational criminal networks. A portion of the list includes individuals originally processed under the 1976 Immigration Act, revealing long-standing systemic gaps in enforcement.
Some use alternate names, undocumented living arrangements, or underground employment to avoid capture. Others are aided by family, friends, or ethnic community shelters.
Inadmissibility Grounds for Deportation
| Reason for Removal | Total Cases |
|---|---|
| Criminality (Section 36) | 855 |
| Misrepresentation (Section 40) | 166 |
| Non-compliance (Section 41) | 29,626 |
| Organized Crime (Section 37) | 22 |
| Security Grounds (Section 34) | 3 |
| Human Rights Violations (35) | 1 |
| Others/Unknown | 124 |
| Total | 30,797 |
Top 10 Countries of Citizenship Facing Removal
| Country | Cases |
|---|---|
| Mexico | 7,009 |
| India | 5,844 |
| United States | 1,786 |
| China | 1,459 |
| Haiti | 1,056 |
| Nigeria | 972 |
| Colombia | 885 |
| Pakistan | 845 |
| Chile | 550 |
| Brazil | 524 |
International and Domestic Repercussions
The growing number of missing foreign criminals is straining Canada’s border relations, particularly with the United States. In early 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Canada for lax enforcement, accusing it of allowing criminal crossovers into U.S. territory.
In response, Canada designated seven international criminal organizations as terrorist groups and invested $1.3 billion to enhance border security, boost CBSA staffing, and improve coordination with the RCMP.
Detention System Under Scrutiny
Canada’s detention strategy has drawn criticism from both provinces and human rights advocates. While the government shifted detainees from provincial prisons to immigration holding centres in Toronto, Laval, and Surrey, these centres have experienced major security lapses.
In December 2024, three Chilean nationals suspected of home theft escaped from Laval’s immigration centre, reigniting debate over detention practices and security protocols.
Solutions and Recommendations
To address the growing crisis, experts suggest:
- Biometric Tracking: Use of advanced technology and cross-border data systems to verify identities and monitor high-risk individuals.
- Legal Reform: Streamlining deportation appeals to reduce prolonged delays.
- Public Engagement: Reinstating a public “wanted” list to help communities identify and report offenders.
- Facility Upgrades: Reinforcing security in detention centres to prevent escapes.
- International Collaboration: Strengthening ties with countries like the U.S. for joint enforcement operations.
Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Canadian Immigration Enforcement
The presence of 599 unaccounted-for foreign criminals, including 431 serious offenders, poses a direct challenge to the integrity of Canada’s immigration system. The CBSA, despite increasing efforts and funding, is struggling to effectively remove and monitor individuals deemed dangerous or unfit to remain in the country.
Public trust, community safety, and international credibility depend on Canada’s ability to act decisively. The growing numbers are not just statistics — they are a clear signal that urgent policy and operational reforms are needed.
For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
