Rising Romanian illegal immigration at US-Canada border

An immigration expert highlights an increase in Romanian illegal immigrants crossing into the U.S. from Canada. This trend is linked to Canada's relaxed visa policies for Romanians, which began in 2017. Mark Krikorian, the executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, noted that it is easier for Romanians to reach Canada first and then sneak into the U.S. Data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows that Romanians made up less than 1% of illegal border crossings in fiscal year 2023. However, in fiscal year 2024, this group accounted for nearly 12%, with 40 Romanians among 344 illegal crossings in the Houlton Sector of Maine. Krikorian speculated that many Romanians may be trying to reach family members in larger U.S. cities. The I-95 highway runs near Houlton, making it accessible for migrants heading south. He explained that while many Romanians first migrate to countries like Italy, some are motivated to continue to the U.S. in search of better opportunities. With changes to visa requirements expected at the end of March, Krikorian predicts a drop in illegal crossings by Romanians. They will become eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, allowing them to travel to the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa. He anticipates that while illegal immigration may decrease, some Romanians may overstay their visas once they enter legally.