The diplomatic ties between India and Canada have remained strained since September, when the latter implicated the Indian government was allegedly involved in the murder of Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar on its soil. However, this hasn’t stopped Indian citizens from trying to enter the United States (US) via Canada illegally.

According to the data from the US Customs and Border Protection (USCBP), 8,076 Indian citizens were caught sneaking into the US through various routes in September this year. Of these, 3,059 or 38% were arrested on the US-Canada border. This is the highest monthly number of such arrests between October 2022 and September 2023.

A source told The Times Of India that many Indians, primarily Gujaratis, have settled in Canada and eagerly await an opportunity to enter the neighbouring US.

“In August 2023, 2,327 illegal immigrants were caught trying to smuggle into the US. This number rose to 3,059 in September,” the source added.

These illegal Indian immigrants included 530 individuals who arrived with their entire families, four unaccompanied children and four children accompanied by family members. The largest category was 2,521 single adults.

The sources revealed that Indian illegal immigrants prefer the Mexican border to enter the US rather than the Canadian border. But in September this year, the US-Mexico border saw 3,862 such arrests, closely mirroring the Canada border incidents.

(With inputs from agencies)