Canadian federal officers tasked with securing the nation’s southern border with the United States employ a markedly different approach to immigration enforcement compared to their American counterparts, according to officials and observers. While U.S. immigration authorities, under the administration of President Donald Trump, have faced criticism for aggressive tactics including the use of masks, deportations, and fatal shootings, Canadian officers, known as the Mounties, emphasize a more humane, measured response.

The shared border, stretching over 5,500 miles through diverse terrain including forests, mountains, and waterways, represents the world’s longest undefended boundary. Despite the vastness, crossings and smuggling activities persist, especially in remote areas such as the corridor from northern New York state to southern Quebec. Canadian officers conduct patrols by boat, all-terrain vehicles, and unmarked pickups, relying on body cameras and identification but eschewing face coverings. They handle encounters with migrants—many of whom are women and children seeking refuge—with an emphasis on dignity and professionalism.

“We have a lot of sympathy,” said Corporal Perreault-Magny of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). “Behind our uniform and badge, we are also human.” He noted that while some individuals crossing illegally are criminals, many migrants aim simply to find a better life.

Since 2000, at least 17 people have died in Canadian immigration detention, mostly in provincial jails, according to human rights groups. By comparison, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has seen at least 53 deaths in custody since Trump’s return to office in January 2025. Canadian Mounties report no recorded fatal shootings of migrants in Quebec.

The Trump administration has placed increased emphasis on securing the U.S.-Canadian border, criticizing Canada’s efforts and tightening enforcement policies. Northern border encounters reported by U.S. officials dropped from nearly 200,000 in 2024 to 85,746 last year, with about 5,000 illegal crossings intercepted in the most recent month. Canadian data show 74 individuals caught crossing from the United States into Canada in the first quarter of 2026, though authorities indicate a rise in asylum seekers arriving as U.S. immigration enforcement intensifies.

Migrants often rely on smugglers who provide GPS coordinates and guidance for crossing the border, sometimes using boats, particularly near the Akwesasne Mohawk Indian reservation, which straddles the international boundary and presents jurisdictional complexities. Smuggling networks transport guns north and drugs, including fentanyl, in both directions.

A 2023 bilateral agreement requires asylum seekers to apply for protection in the first country they enter, closing a loophole that previously allowed some to cross from the U.S. into Canada to seek asylum. Under this pact, most individuals intercepted entering Canada irregularly are turned back to the United States, where asylum claims have been routinely denied under current policies. Exceptions exist for those who evade capture for at least two weeks, resetting their eligibility to apply for asylum in Canada.

Human rights organizations have expressed concern about returning asylum seekers to the United States, pointing to reports of mistreatment and the harsh conditions within U.S. detention centers. Advocacy groups such as Amnesty International and the Canadian Council for Refugees highlight cases where individuals deported from Canada to the U.S. have subsequently faced detention or deportation to dangerous conditions in their countries of origin.

Border patrols monitor difficult-to-access areas with drones, helicopters, and surveillance cameras. Officers describe challenging conditions faced by migrants, including traveling through dense forest, enduring harsh winter weather, and suffering from insect bites during warmer months. Instances of fatal accidents—such as the 2023 drowning of a Romanian family being smuggled via the Akwesasne reserve—underscore the dangers inherent in unauthorized crossings.

While U.S. authorities focus on dismantling human trafficking networks and smuggling operations along the northern border, Canadian officials prioritize apprehending criminal organizers and distinguishing them from vulnerable migrants. “You wish you could help them better,” Perreault-Magny said, “but that’s definitely not the way we want people to enter our country.”

Despite shared goals of border security, operational styles diverge significantly. Canadian border agents maintain a balance between enforcement and empathy, consciously avoiding publicizing migrant identities or photographs in custody. Meanwhile, U.S. enforcement under Trump frequently adopts a more combative posture, including publicizing deportations.

As migration patterns shift amid tightened U.S. immigration rules and ongoing enforcement, Canadian authorities continue their efforts to manage crossings humanely while working in coordination, sometimes informally, with their American counterparts to address evolving border challenges.