Search underway for woman, 2 young children near Quebec-U.S. border
A search and rescue operation is currently underway for a woman and two young children who are believed to have crossed the border from the United States into Canada overnight. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) launched the search at around midnight on Thursday in the area surrounding Trout River, Que., in the Montérégie region. This operation came after two men and a woman were arrested on Wednesday night for illegally entering the country.
During interviews with the trio, officers learned of the missing woman and children, prompting the search operation to be taken over by the Sûreté du Québec (SQ). The ages of the children have not been confirmed, but the SQ has indicated that they are believed to be as young as three years old. Concerns for their safety have led to medical emergency services being put on standby, as there is a possibility that they may be injured or dehydrated.
Trout River has an official border crossing that connects the municipality of Elgin, Que., to Constable, N.Y., operating from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. most days. Guylaine Cloutier, Elgin’s general manager, mentioned that illegal crossings have been on the rise since U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term began. However, she noted that this issue is not new and that the municipality lacks the capacity and resources to address it effectively.
The Trump administration’s immigration policies have coincided with a rise in asylum claims by refugees in Quebec. Recent announcements regarding the revocation of temporary status for individuals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, as well as the termination of Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans and Haitians, have contributed to this trend. Data shows a significant increase in asylum claims processed at the Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle border crossing, highlighting the impact of U.S. policies on Canada.
Federal leaders have also weighed in on immigration issues, particularly asylum seekers. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre expressed intentions to block individuals coming from the U.S. seeking asylum in Canada, while Liberal Leader Mark Carney emphasized the importance of balancing compassion with realism. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh proposed eliminating the Safe Third Country Agreement as a potential solution to address the challenges posed by current immigration policies.
The ongoing search and rescue operation underscores the complexities of border security and immigration in the current political landscape. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains crucial to prioritize the safety and well-being of individuals who may be at risk while navigating the challenges of immigration across international borders.
