Windsor Port Authority raises concerns of potential increase in border swimmers

With U.S. President-Elect Donald Trump promising to enact mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, Windsor’s harbour master is expressing worries about a possible uptick in people trying to illegally cross the Detroit River.

“I think we’ll be seeing much more desperate people who are trying to get out of the United States and get to Canada and make claims,” said Peter Berry of the Windsor Port Authority.

“These are people who have a goal, a destination in mind, where they can’t meet regular crossing requirements at a border point. So they’re trying between those points — which is crossing the Detroit River.”

Harbour Master Peter Berry of the Windsor Port Authority. (Dalson Chen/CBC)

Stories of illegal crossings of the Detroit River — in both directions, whether by watercraft or by swimming — have been told for generations. But Berry said that since the latest U.S. election, on Nov. 5, he has been seeing “an increase in swimmers.”

“I am seeing things I did not see this time last year.”

Berry admits there’s no data yet to legitimize his concerns. However the WPA’s observational resources allow him to notice things in local waters that are typically overlooked.

“My mandate is not so much the enforcement, but watching for the safety,” he said. “I think observation is the first step. We need to interdict. We need to deal with the people who are crossing illegally… I do not want to see anybody die in that river.”

Monitor screens at the Windsor Port Authority showing observations of the Detroit River. (Dalson Chen/CBC)

Berry’s comments come after LaSalle police recovered a body from the Detroit River on Nov. 13.

The deceased was found floating near Fighting Island. No details have been released regarding the individual’s identity or the circumstances of death.

The office of Ontario’s chief coroner said last week that its investigation of the body continues.

Const. Alaina Atkins of LaSalle police said the service hasn’t noticed a recent increase in activity in the water — but any illegal crossing of the river is dangerous, especially in darkness and when water temperatures are frigid.

“We as a service encourage people to use legal means to move across borders, and not take undue risks,” Atkins stated.

The view across the Detroit River from the Windsor side, at one of the narrowest points of the river. (Dalson Chen/CBC)

Luke Reimer, a spokesperson for the Canada Border Services Agency, said any refugee claimant seeking entry to Canada from the U.S. must abide by legislation called the Safe Third Country Agreement.

Reimer said CBSA is responsible for enforcing the law at designated points of entry, but enforcement of the border between those points typically falls upon RCMP.

“It is illegal to enter between ports of entry, and it is not safe,” Reimer wrote.

Some of the Harbour Master’s radio equipment at the Windsor Port Authority. (Dalson Chen/CBC)

Ian Smith, a spokesperson for RCMP’s Windsor detachment, said they also haven’t noticed any unusual recent activity around the Detroit River. But he has a message for those weighing their chances.

“Our advice is: Don’t,” Smith told CBC Windsor. “Present yourself to Canada Border Services Agency. If you’re seeking asylum or refugee status, there’s the proper way to do it.”

“Our posture at the Canada-U.S. border remains unchanged. And if anything does happen when the Trump administration comes into term in January — we’re definitely prepared.”

A Windsor perspective of the Ambassador Bridge over the Detroit River. At points along the river, Canada and the U.S. are separated by only 0.8 kilometres of water. (Dalson Chen/CBC)

Meanwhile, Berry will continue his watch of the Detroit River. He hopes to speak with a parliamentary sub-committee about his concerns in the near future.

“Windsor Port Authority doesn’t have a law enforcement mandate related to immigration,” he explained.

“The most important thing for the port authority is the safety of the port. That’s what I’m looking toward. Yes, there’s going to be politics, and discussion, and posturing. But most important is the safe and efficient operation of the port.”