A Jordanian man, who was deported from the U.S. two weeks ago, had illegally crossed the Canada-U.S. border twice. Mohammad Hasan Abdellatif Albana, whose asylum claims in Canada were rejected, had managed to evade authorities before being apprehended in Washington State.
Albana’s case raises serious questions about border security between Canada and the U.S., especially following heightened concerns over the movement of individuals with alleged terrorist ties.
A Complex Path Across Borders
Mohammad Albana first crossed into Canada in 2017, allegedly slipping across the border between official entry points from the U.S. He sought asylum, hoping to remain in the country after fleeing his native Jordan. However, his application was rejected by Canadian immigration authorities, and his subsequent appeals were denied.
Despite being under the radar of Canadian authorities, Albana somehow evaded attempts to remove him from Canada. In an ironic twist, he made the decision to cross back into the U.S. illegally, just as Canadian border agents were intensifying their efforts to locate him.
The U.S. authorities, including Border Patrol, arrested Albana near Lynden, Washington. After an immigration hearing, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deported him to Jordan on November 15. The U.S. government claimed Albana had “ties to terrorism,” a detail that continues to shape the political discourse surrounding his case.
Escalating Tensions Over Border Security
The arrest of Albana comes amid increasing pressure from U.S. officials on Canada to tighten its border security. President-elect Donald Trump has been vocal about the issue, suggesting that Canadian border control has become a “soft spot” for individuals with questionable backgrounds entering the U.S.
Trump’s rhetoric on border security reached a boiling point in recent months, with threats to impose 25% tariffs on Canadian imports unless Canada cracked down on illegal crossings, including those by individuals with suspected terrorist links. In response, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau flew to Florida for a dinner meeting with Trump, where the matter of border security was high on the agenda.
This incident involving Albana adds weight to Trump’s demands. He has frequently warned that illegal crossings, particularly by individuals with extremist affiliations, pose a significant threat to U.S. security. The growing concern is that Canada’s border controls are insufficient to stop these people from entering the U.S.
Canada’s Role in Border Control Scrutiny
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) confirmed that Albana’s deportation was linked to his illegal border crossing and the fact that he had been the subject of removal proceedings before his re-entry into the U.S. The CBSA’s spokesman, Guillaume Bérubé, stated that Albana came into Canada unlawfully from the U.S. and made a refugee claim, which was subsequently denied.
When asked about the case, a spokesperson for Canada’s Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, declined to comment, citing privacy legislation that prevents the department from discussing individual cases. However, the broader implications of Albana’s case are raising alarms in Canadian political circles.
The Political Fallout
The Conservative Party in Canada has been quick to seize on Albana’s case as evidence of weaknesses in the country’s border security and immigration policies. Tom Kmiec, the party’s immigration critic, has vowed to raise questions in Parliament. He plans to call for an inquiry into how someone with alleged terrorist ties could have crossed the border twice, evading Canadian authorities.
This political fallout highlights a growing rift over immigration policies between Canada and the U.S. The debate over border security and the movement of individuals across North America is only gaining momentum, with many questioning whether Canada’s system can adequately vet refugees and migrants.
The Bigger Picture: Rising Threats from the North
While Albana’s deportation is an isolated incident, it sheds light on a larger and increasingly alarming trend. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data, in recent years, twice as many suspected terrorists have attempted to cross from Canada into the U.S. as have done so from Mexico. This statistic underscores the heightened vigilance surrounding Canada’s border.
Moreover, the troubling case of Albana is far from an outlier. In September, a Pakistani man living in Toronto was arrested near the U.S. border in Quebec for allegedly plotting a mass shooting inspired by the Islamic State. The man had entered Canada on a student visa, further complicating the debate over who is entering Canada and how they are being screened.
David Cooper, Vice President of Government Relations at the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, emphasized the critical need for robust screening measures to ensure both Canadian and U.S. security. “The Albana case is alarming,” he said. “Both countries must strengthen their border controls to prevent individuals with potential terrorist ties from slipping through the cracks.”
A Growing Security Dilemma
The situation is becoming a significant challenge for Canadian and U.S. authorities alike. As global threats evolve, so too must the policies that govern immigration and border security. The increasing number of terror-related arrests linked to individuals crossing the Canada-U.S. border illegally suggests that both countries must reassess their strategies and cooperation in tackling this growing threat.
Without a clear solution to this issue, the pressure will only continue to mount on both governments. Albana’s case serves as a stark reminder that the security of one nation is inextricably linked to the security of its neighbour, and that shared borders come with shared responsibilities.
