QUEBEC BORDER — A woman and two young children have gone missing in the dense woods straddling the Canada–U.S. border, triggering a full-scale search-and-rescue operation by Quebec provincial police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
They were last seen near Godmanchester, a rural town 65 kilometers southwest of Montreal, attempting to cross illegally into Canada.
Three others — two men and one woman — were apprehended late Wednesday night in the same area. According to RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Martina Pilarova, the detained individuals told officers their companions became separated in the forest during the crossing.
The group was fleeing the United States. All of them are transgender or non-binary.
A Flight for Identity
Their stories reflect a surge in border activity unseen since the early Trump era.
Since President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, the administration has dismantled protections for gender-diverse Americans, revoking the “X” gender option on federal IDs, restricting trans participation in the military and sports, and rescinding diversity and inclusion mandates across agencies.
That rollback has had real consequences.
“We never thought we’d have to leave the country,” said Salem Took, a trans resident of Maine. “But I don’t feel safe anymore. Not legally. Not physically. Not emotionally.”
Took and their partner are now considering selling their home, uprooting their children, and moving to New Brunswick.
They’re not alone.
The New Exodus: Americans at the Gates
According to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), 557 asylum seekers — a record number — entered Quebec between April 1 and 6. That’s nearly equal to the entire total for January.
While many came from crisis-hit nations like Haiti and Venezuela, a striking number were American citizens, primarily LGBTQ+ individuals citing persecution under new U.S. federal policy.
In February and March alone, CBSA processed 755 and 1,356 asylum applications respectively at the Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle crossing — a nearly 300% year-on-year increase.
And the number is still climbing.
“We are experiencing an unprecedented surge,” said a CBSA spokesperson in a statement Thursday. “Our contingency plans include temporary intake centers, staff redeployment, and coordination with provincial health services.”
Processing centers are now operating near border towns and in emergency shelters. Mobile courtrooms are being prepared.
Can a Canadian Visa Offer Safety from a Superpower?
Under current law, U.S. citizens may apply for asylum in Canada if they remain inside the country for 14 days. Immigration lawyers say they’re seeing a flood of consultations from American clients — especially transgender people — asking if political conditions back home could qualify as grounds for protection.
“There’s a real case to be made,” said immigration attorney Yamina Ansari. “If individuals can demonstrate that their identity puts them at risk of systemic harm, even in a country like the U.S., then Canadian asylum law has room for them.”
Calls are growing for fast-track exceptions for U.S.-based LGBTQ+ claimants.
But the legal process is complex, and Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) is already overwhelmed. Delays are stretching from months to years.
“Join Canada, Eh?”: When Satire Mirrors Reality
The growing migration wave has sparked both concern and mockery online. A parody website titled “Join Canada, Eh?” has gone viral, allowing Americans to “vote” which U.S. state should join Canada as its “11th province.”
Over one million people have cast votes. Leading the pack? Michigan, followed by Oregon, Vermont, and Maine.
“It’s satire,” said creator Corey Ross of Starvox Entertainment, “but it’s also how people process despair — with humor.”
Border Towns Overwhelmed — and Divided
In real terms, the influx is stretching the seams of Canadian border towns.
In Saint Andrews, New Brunswick, town officials report a sharp rise in asylum inquiries — particularly from American families. Locals are supportive, but anxious.
“We want to help,” said town councilor Linda M., “but we’re at capacity. We’re talking about housing, clinics, schools. Everything’s tight.”
Social media backlash has been swift. Hashtags like #CanadaIsFull and #SecureTheBorder are trending. Some users are demanding tighter controls.
“We can’t fix America’s problems,” wrote one Twitter user. “We can barely afford groceries ourselves.”
What’s Next?
With tensions rising and the border heating up, Canadian federal authorities have yet to announce a definitive stance on how to handle the growing number of U.S. claimants — especially those with no criminal history but complex identity-based claims.
Meanwhile, the missing woman and her two children remain unaccounted for as of Friday morning. Search crews are expanding their perimeter.
This is no longer a fringe issue. It’s a continental crisis unfolding in real time.
And for thousands of Americans, Canada is no longer just a neighbor — it’s an escape plan.
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