A growing number of Canadians are being arrested or detained by U.S. immigration authorities, and new data suggests this isn’t about serious crime — it’s about stricter enforcement. According to records obtained through a U.S. court case, more than 400 Canadian detention stays have occurred since late 2023, with numbers climbing sharply in 2025.

Most of those detained had no serious criminal record. In many cases, people were held for minor immigration issues like overstaying a visa or not having the correct paperwork — situations that, in the past, usually meant being asked to leave voluntarily rather than being detained.

Even more concerning: at least six Canadian children were detained, some for weeks, including one child held for 51 days — far beyond recommended limits. Several were held in facilities that have faced criticism over poor conditions, limited medical care, and lack of legal access.

Experts say the spike is directly tied to President Donald Trump’s renewed immigration crackdown and aggressive ICE arrest quotas. Lawyers warn that Canadians often underestimate how easily they can run into trouble at the U.S. border.

Canadian officials say their ability to intervene is limited, and experts now warn that “anybody could potentially get caught up” — especially non–native-born Canadians.

For some, the advice is blunt: think twice before crossing the border.