Illegal immigrants caught crossing at Coutts, Alta., no longer in Canada

Nine people were taken into custody after they crossed the Canada-U.S. border near Coutts, Alta. on Feb. 3, 2025. (Credit: RCMP)

A group of individuals apprehended at the Canada-U.S. border in early February were from Venezuela and Colombia, CTV News has learned.

Further investigation has determined all the illegal immigrants were turned over by Canadian authorities to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enforcement and removal operations unit.

• Sign up for breaking news alerts from CTV News, right at your fingertips
• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

On Feb. 3, the federal division of the RCMP in Alberta says nine individuals, four adults and five youths, were arrested under Canada’s Customs Act and handed over to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

Officials say the group walked across the border near Coutts, Alta., at approximately 6:15 a.m. that day.

RCMP said the individuals were carrying suitcases. Historical weather data from the day recorded a temperature of -28 C, with a wind chill making it feel more like -33.

Identities protected by law

The CBSA, when asked for details about the individuals, said that all of their information was protected by legislation.

“An individual’s border and immigration information is considered private and protected by the Privacy Act,” said Luke Reimer, CBSA spokesperson, in an email to CTV News.

Reimer says border security and integrity is a shared responsibility between the CBSA and RCMP.

“The CBSA is responsible for enforcing the law at designated ports of entry in Canada and the RCMP is responsible for enforcing Canadian legislation between ports of entry. Both the RCMP and local police have the authority to intercept persons crossing between ports of entry and bring them to a designated port of entry.”

The RCMP did not release any further details about the individuals either, saying, “the CBSA is responsible for determining the admissibility of every individual seeking to enter Canada and would be the appropriate agency for questions relating to that.”

‘Illegal aliens’ no longer in Canada

Reimer says it is illegal to cross the border between ports of entry and “it is not safe.”

“Travellers wishing to enter Canada must present themselves to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) at a designated port of entry. Failure to report to the CBSA upon entry into Canada is a serious offence and may result in penalties or charges.”

In the case of the individuals who crossed on Feb. 3, no penalties or charges were laid by Canadian authorities – they were instead turned over to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.

“The illegal aliens were turned over to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) by CBSA at the Sweetgrass port of entry,” said CBP spokesperson Jason Givens.

“CBP processed the individuals and turned them over to ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations.”

CTV News has reached out to ICE for comment on the situation and any further details about the current whereabouts of the apprehended individuals.

CBP data for the Havre Sector, the region that includes the Sweetgrass, Mont., port of entry, includes all encounter data from apprehensions, inadmissibles and expulsions.

“Inadmissibles refers to individuals encountered at ports of entry (POEs) by Office of Field Operations who are seeking lawful admission into the U.S. but are determined to be inadmissible, individuals presenting themselves to seek humanitarian protection under our laws, and individuals who withdraw an application for admission and return to their countries of origin within a short timeframe.

“Apprehensions refers to the physical control or temporary detainment of a person by USBP between POEs who is not lawfully in the U.S. which may or may not result in an arrest.”

In January, 19 single adults and three individuals in a family unit attempting to enter the U.S. met this criteria.

In all of 2024, 100 people were given one of those statuses.

Asylum seekers in Canada

According to the Government of Canada, 35 people claiming asylum were processed by the CBSA in Alberta in January. Twenty-five of those came in through airports while 10 arrived at land crossings.

Individuals claim asylum, or protection, because it is not safe for them in their home country. Common reasons include a risk of danger of torture, risk to your life, risk of cruel or unusual treatment or punished or “a well-founded fear of persecution.”

Quebec had the highest number of total asylum claimants (1,325) in January, followed by 885 in Ontario.

There were 2,465 asylum claimants in Canada that month, a figure that includes inland offices.

In all of 2024, Alberta RCMP only intercepted seven people seeking asylum in Canada, with the highest number (four) occurring in November.

The CBSA processed 900 people seeking asylum in Alberta in 2024, with the majority of those (520) arriving via airports.

This data does not reflect the number of asylum claimants residing in any Canadian province or territory.