by Guy Page

A pair of recent news items underscore that under the Trump administration, Canada – VT border jumping has reversed directions. Entry into the tri-state Swanton Sector has slowed to a trickle, even as large numbers of Haitians are trying to escape the U.S. into Canada.

As reported by Compass Vermont last month, the Trump administration’s August 3 cancellation of temporary protected status for a half-million Haitians the has resulted in a huge push of illegal immigration into French-speaking Quebec, already home to a large Haitian community.

Three men – reportedly of Turkish nationality – are facing smuggling-related charges after Canadian authorities in Stansfield, Quebec intercepted a truck carrying 44 foreign nationals in what police described as “horrific” conditions near the U.S.-Canada border over the weekend, CTV news reported.

The Canada Border Services Agency said RCMP and Quebec provincial police stopped a cube van early Sunday near Stanstead, following a tip about migrants crossing the border from the United States.

Inside the vehicle, officers found dozens of people — including children as young as four and a pregnant woman — cramped together without water or ventilation. “There wasn’t a lot of air for them to breathe,” said RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Charles Poirier. “Just horrific conditions.”

Most of the migrants, believed to be of Haitian origin, had reportedly walked for two hours before being picked up by the truck. Despite the poor conditions, police said none appeared to be in immediate medical danger.

The three suspects — Ogulcan Mersin, 25, and Dogan Alakus and Firat Yuksek, both 31 — have been charged under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. They remain in custody pending a court appearance Wednesday.

The CBSA said most of the migrants have been taken to a refugee processing centre in St-Bernard-de-Lacolle. The investigation remains ongoing.

Border Patrol agents in the Swanton Sector report a dramatic decrease in illegal border crossings between June 2024 and June 2025, yet officials caution that threats to national security remain.

Border Patrol busts down from 3,310 last June to 119 this June

According to the Swanton Sector Facebook page, in June 2024, Swanton Sector Border Patrol agents apprehended 3,310 individuals attempting to enter the United States illegally. One year later, that number plummeted to just 119 apprehensions. Despite the 96% decrease, the U.S. Border Patrol warns the issue is far from resolved.

“Border security is national security, which directly correlates to public safety,” an agency spokesperson said. “Even a small number of unlawful entries can pose a serious threat.”

The 119 individuals apprehended in June 2025 came from 24 different countries, including Algeria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jordan, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, the Philippines, Spain, Tunisia, Türkiye, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.

Officials attribute the decrease in apprehensions to increased enforcement and cooperation with Canadian authorities but continue to call for public awareness and support.

“Your call makes a difference,” the agency stated, encouraging residents to report any suspicious activity near the border by calling 1-800-689-3362.

The Swanton Sector encompasses over 24,000 square miles across Vermont, New Hampshire, and northeastern New York, and includes 295 miles of the U.S.-Canada border.

Cover photo from Facebook page reporting on the apprehension of Haitians seeking to cross the border – source unknown