Tate: Northern border new illegal immigration hot spot

For decades, Massachusetts voters largely felt insulated from the most severe consequences of unchecked immigration occurring more than 2,000 miles away at the US-Mexico border. But as illegal immigration at the southern border plummets due to President Trump’s new security measures, another looming and overlooked threat stands to directly impact New England communities: increasing illegal immigration at the US northern border.

In May, about 10,000 illegal migrants attempted to enter the US through the southern border — a 91% decrease from a year prior. During the Biden years, Border Patrol would sometimes apprehend over 10,000 migrants in a single day. But while illegal crossings fall at the US-Mexico border, illegal crossings at the northern border have been on the rise and could potentially skyrocket as migrants’ options to the south dry up.

The US-Canada border — the largest land border in the world — is remote and in many areas completely undefended. The border can be reached with a relatively short drive from several major airports in Canada, such as the Montreal Trudeau Airport. The enormous Swanton Sector spans 24,000 square miles and incorporates parts of New York plus all of Vermont and New Hampshire. Last year in the sector, 19,000 illegal migrants were apprehended by US border agents — a figure that may seem insignificant compared to illegal crossings across the southern border during the Biden years, but is three times that of the previous year and exceeds the 17 years before it combined. Many of these migrants bring drugs like fentanyl into the US and others carry weapons.

Last year alone, people from 85 countries flew to Canada to cross into the US illegally. Of those crossers, at least 358 were known or suspected terrorists.

Human smugglers see the demand at the northern border and realize the potential to rake in big cash. “Coyotes” in Canada shamelessly use TikTok to promote their “services.” Most of these smugglers charge around $5,000 and offer a trip from an airport in Montreal or Toronto to a remote part of the border. The trip includes an easy two or three-hour car ride, followed by a relatively short walk through the woods. Would-be migrants increasingly realize that if they can fly into Canada, the trip to the US is easier than it would be through the southern border. Those crossing from the south face long distances on foot, extreme heat, and the infamously treacherous Rio Grande River.

As migrants catch on, Boston — a self-declared “sanctuary city” — and the state of Massachusetts will absorb many of these new arrivals. Bay Staters already feel the impacts of illegal immigration, and increased migration from the north will only intensify these issues. Last year Massachusetts spent around $1 billion dealing with the Biden-Harris migrant crisis. During the Biden Administration, at least 50,000 illegal immigrants came to the state. Hardworking local families saw tens of millions of their tax dollars spent on meals and housing for migrants as they struggled to afford groceries or pay rent.

Hospitals have been strained by illegal immigration. Last year school districts reported being “blindsided” by the influx of new students.

And then there’s crime. Recently immigration officials arrested a Salvadoran illegal immigrant convicted of child rape, living right next to a children’s playground.  He had already been deported in 2017, but then reentered the country under the Biden Administration. Other illegal immigrants arrested in Boston that same week included a Salvadoran on El Salvador’s most wanted list for homicide and kidnapping, a Colombian facing charges of sexual assault of a child, and a Dominican national facing local charges for fentanyl distribution.

Problems in Massachusetts caused by unchecked illegal immigration stand to get much worse if there is a spike in migration across the US-Canada border.

Until recently, immigration has largely been a theoretical issue to Massachusetts voters. Voters in Texas, Arizona, and California — the states that absorb the highest numbers of migrants — have been crying out about the open border the loudest, because it is their communities that were primarily impacted. But now, New England states including Massachusetts could become ground zero for a growing new illegal immigration trend.

So far, Massachusetts leaders have largely ignored the issue and doubled down on left-wing positions. A few days after President Trump was elected, Governor Maura Healey announced the state would not cooperate with federal officials in enforcing immigration law; she has since tried to backtrack, but her initial statement made her views clear. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said the Boston police would also not assist with the feds’ deportation efforts under the Trump Administration. Wu continues to proudly reiterate Boston’s status as a sanctuary city. Healey, Wu, and their ilk are making Massachusetts a prime destination for new illegal immigrants.

Trump got 7% closer to victory in Massachusetts last year compared to 2020; that’s largely due to immigration, which voters in the state said was the most important issue to them. As illegal immigrants start pouring into New England from the US-Canada border, don’t be surprised if even more residents vote for Republicans — even in deep blue Massachusetts.

Kristin Tate is a political columnist and author based in Massachusetts. Her latest book is “The Liberal Invasion of Red State America.” Follow her on X @KristinBTate.