Despite the Trump administration’s intensified crackdown against illegal immigration, the desperation to make a life in the US remains strong, leading to the emergence of a new, risky phenomenon — temporary reverse migration. Individuals who had once entered the US via Canada or Mexico are returning to these countries in a bid to evade detection and deportation with plans to wait it out for ‘conditions to get favourable’ and re-enter US, again illegally, say sources.
Typically, human smugglers facilitated routes via Dubai or Sharjah before arranging flights to Mexico City or Cancun, from where migrants would cross into the US. But the networks are quickly adapting to shifting dynamics. A source revealed that smugglers have warned illegal travellers, to “stop where he or she is and call off any future journey” due to stricter border enforcement.
“However, there were some who have already crossed into US towns near the North or the South Border. These people have been instructed to either return to Mexico or Canada where they can lie low until the situation in the US normalises. Then, they will be sent in through illegal routes,” said a source inside a human smuggling ring, adding that all illegal immigrants usually hold valid tourist or student visas for these two countries.
With the US-Mexico border heavily guarded, many migrants now prefer Canada as their temporary refuge, despite its harsh winters. Another source confirmed that a group of 15 individuals from India recently crossed into Canada from the US. However, not all such attempts are successful. Recently, one person was found dead and 15 others were detained by Canadian border authorities while entering the country.
A man from Palaj in Kalol, who illegally entered the US last month, returned to Mexico within 15 days along with eight others. “We had no choice because deportation was imminent had we been caught. The US has been quick in deporting all immigrants caught at the border,” he said. Another person who returned to Canada shared that he is living in Surrey and plans to re-enter the US when conditions allow.