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In a news release Thursday, the RCMP said it currently maintains a 24/7 presence at the railway bridge, as part of its active patrols along the border in the area on land, water and in the air to disrupt cross-border criminal activity.

“The strategic deployment of RCMP ... has proven to be a successful tactic in preventing illegal migration into Canada,” said Supt. Dale Foote, officer in charge of the national police force’s border integrity in Ontario.

The Canada Border Services Agency reported in early April about a spike in migrants seeking asylum at an official land port of entry in Quebec via New York and Vermont after the Trump administration ramped up removal of temporary migrants from the U.S.

In response to Washington’s tariff threats over Trump’s unfounded claim that Canadian fentanyl was flooding into the U.S., Ottawa has implemented a $1.3 billion ongoing plan — including new equipment and hiring of 1,000 border officers — to beef up border security.

In the April 13 incident, one person was arrested at the scene while another was apprehended after escaping on foot. A third hopped on the waiting vehicle and fled, though the individual and the driver both turned themselves in 10 days later.

Police said a Cuban national was sent back to the U.S. after an assessment by border agents found him ineligible to enter Canada. The driver, who is his wife, faces charges for dangerous operation of a conveyance as well as conspiracy and failing to report under the Customs Act.

No information was immediately available about the other two migrants.

The border agency said that, as of April 6 this year, it has processed 56 per cent fewer asylum claims compared to the same period in 2024, when there were 19,815 cases. Of the 8,655 asylum applications processed so far, 5,287 were from Quebec, followed by 2,775 in Ontario, 372 in B.C., 135 in Alberta, 50 in Manitoba, and 22 in New Brunswick.

Officials have removed 641 people to the U.S. for ineligibility, compared to 2,447 for the entire 2024.