Trump’s Border Czar Says Canada’s Immigration Laws Are ‘Too Lax’

Former Acting ICE Director Tom Homan speaks at the National Press Club on June 5, 2018. Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s border czar said while he has had good conversations with Canadian officials around border security, the country’s immigration laws are still “too lax.”

“It’s pretty easy to get into Canada. Not a lot of screening is done, not compared to the United States,” Tom Homan said in an interview with CTV' Power Play program, recalling a conversation he recently had with two Canadian ministers.

“I’m talking about those who would come in just to get to Canada and transit to the United States. I think they need to be screened right before we let them in. Of course, that’s up to Canada to change those rules.”

Homan, who is set to be in charge of all U.S. border issues, said he felt optimistic that Canada and the United States could secure their border, and said he was “looking forward to getting the specifics and having our border forces work very closely with Canadian border forces.”

On Dec. 17, the Canadian government unveiled its $1.3 billion plan to strengthen the Canada–U.S. border, which involves creating a new North American task force targeting organized crime and synthetic drug trafficking and 24/7 border surveillance. The plan also involves using AI and imaging tools to address the flow of fentanyl and detect illegal drugs, and new funding for helicopters, drones, and surveillance towers.

The announcement came weeks after Trump threatened 25 percent tariffs against Canada and Mexico unless they stop the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs into the United States from their borders.

When asked whether Canada could avoid the tariffs if it took sufficient action to fortify the border, Homan said he could not speak for the president, but his “number one concern” is border security. “If Canada can come and be a good partner with us, I think it’s going to go a long way with President Trump,” Homan added.

The Canada–U.S. border has seen a growing number of “migrant encounters,” which refers to apprehensions of migrants who cross into the United States without authorization, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), noting the number has risen from 109,535 in 2022 to 198,929 in 2024.

The largest group of foreign nationals crossing the border illegally from Canada to the United States have been from India, with Chinese nationals coming in second. CBP said it has seen 43,764 encounters with Indian nationals at the northern border in the last fiscal year, while there have been 12,414 Chinese nationals.