How ‘southbounders’ are fuelling cross-border politics

Guest: Allan Woods, staff reporter

Just as Roxham Road in Quebec became a crossing point for thousands of migrants hoping to enter Canada to avoid deportation in the United States, a new northern border phenomenon has people from countries such as Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and India using Canada as an entry point to the U.S., often making a perilous journey. Called “southbounders” by the RCMP, officials on both sides of the border say there has been a sharp spike in the number of people attempting this dangerous crossing. Republicans are leveraging the issue as political fuel and now cross-border issues are expected to feature heavily in the U.S. President Joe Biden’s upcoming visit to Canada next week.

This episode was produced by Saba Eitizaz, Brian Bradley and Paulo Marques.