CBSA Removal Statistics 2026: Record Deportations in 2025, with 5,260 Removals in Q1 2026
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is responsible for removing foreign nationals who are in Canada illegally or who have lost their right to stay. In 2025, the CBSA removed 23,160 individuals – the highest annual total in over a decade, representing a 33% increase over 2024 (17,397). The first quarter of 2026 (January–March) saw an additional 5,260 enforced removals.
- 01Quick Facts – CBSA Removals at a Glance (2025–2026 Q1)
- 02Table 1: Total Enforced Removals by Region (2020–2025 & Q1 2026)
- 03Table 2: Removals by Inadmissibility Type (2020–2025 & Q1 2026)
- 04Table 3: Removals by Removal Order Type (2020–2025 & Q1 2026)
- 05Table 4: Removal Enforcement Methods (2020–2025 & Q1 2026)
- 06Table 5: Escorted vs. Unescorted Removals (2020–2025 & Q1 2026)
- 07Removals Inventory Overview (as of April 15, 2026)
- 08Top Citizenships – Removals (2020–2025 & Q1 2026)
- 09Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- 10What These Statistics Mean for Canada’s Immigration System
This article presents a complete, table‑rich analysis of the latest CBSA removal statistics, including breakdowns by region, inadmissibility grounds, removal order types, enforcement methods, and top citizenships. All data is current as of April 15, 2026 (for inventories) and March 31, 2026 (for Q1 2026 removals).
Quick Facts – CBSA Removals at a Glance (2025–2026 Q1)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total removals in 2025 | 23,160 (↑33% from 2024) |
| Total removals Q1 2026 | 5,260 |
| Most common inadmissibility in 2025 | Non‑compliance (refugee claimants) – 19,225 removals |
| Most common removal order type (2025) | Deportation order – 11,112 (48% of removals) |
| Top citizenship removed in 2025 | Mexico – 4,837 |
| Top citizenship removed in Q1 2026 | India – 1,712 |
| Current removal‑in‑progress inventory | 31,482 individuals (as of April 15, 2026) |
| Total wanted inventory | 33,332 individuals |
Source: CBSA removals statistics (2020–2026 Q1)
Table 1: Total Enforced Removals by Region (2020–2025 & Q1 2026)
| Region | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 Q1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic | 57 | 70 | 62 | 104 | 159 | 188 | 46 |
| Quebec | 5,924 | 1,593 | 2,496 | 6,036 | 6,970 | 10,628 | 2,886 |
| Northern Ontario | 284 | 234 | 295 | 410 | 491 | 546 | 114 |
| Greater Toronto Area | 4,500 | 3,658 | 2,714 | 4,306 | 5,411 | 7,162 | 1,286 |
| Southern Ontario | 204 | 304 | 697 | 1,347 | 1,072 | 984 | 142 |
| Prairie | 966 | 833 | 590 | 772 | 1,116 | 1,545 | 345 |
| Pacific | 923 | 831 | 1,481 | 2,256 | 2,178 | 2,107 | 441 |
| Grand Total | 12,858 | 7,523 | 8,335 | 15,231 | 17,397 | 23,160 | 5,260 |
Key observations:
- Quebec alone accounted for 46% of all removals in 2025 (10,628).
- The Greater Toronto Area followed with 7,162 removals (31%).
- Q1 2026 already shows 2,886 removals in Quebec – on pace to exceed 11,000 for the full year.
Table 2: Removals by Inadmissibility Type (2020–2025 & Q1 2026)
| Inadmissibility Ground | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 Q1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminality (s. 36) | 584 | 494 | 568 | 656 | 765 | 934 | 260 |
| Transborder criminality (s. 36) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 132 | 21 |
| Organized crime (s. 37) | 33 | 27 | 27 | 51 | 90 | 98 | 18 |
| Misrepresentation (s. 40) | 145 | 116 | 106 | 153 | 156 | 145 | 28 |
| Non‑compliance – non‑claimants (s. 41) | 1,519 | 1,329 | 1,665 | 2,162 | 2,329 | 2,549 | 559 |
| Non‑compliance – refugee claimants (s. 41) | 10,493 | 5,525 | 5,939 | 12,136 | 13,950 | 19,225 | 4,352 |
| Others (security, human rights, health, etc.) | 84 | 32 | 30 | 73 | 68 | 77 | 22 |
| Total | 12,858 | 7,523 | 8,335 | 15,231 | 17,397 | 23,160 | 5,260 |
Critical insight: Non‑compliance among refugee claimants drives the vast majority of removals – 83% of all removals in 2025 (19,225 out of 23,160). This reflects failed refugee claims and individuals who did not comply with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
Table 3: Removals by Removal Order Type (2020–2025 & Q1 2026)
| Removal Order Type | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 Q1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Departure order | 1,357 | 940 | 974 | 2,185 | 4,352 | 5,228 | 1,340 |
| Exclusion order | 1,562 | 1,835 | 3,020 | 7,392 | 6,084 | 6,820 | 1,081 |
| Deportation order | 9,863 | 4,701 | 4,341 | 5,654 | 6,961 | 11,112 | 2,839 |
| Not captured | 76 | 47 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 12,858 | 7,523 | 8,335 | 15,231 | 17,397 | 23,160 | 5,260 |
Meaning: A deportation order permanently bars return to Canada unless written authorization is obtained. In 2025, 48% of all removals were deportation orders, up from 40% in 2024.
Table 4: Removal Enforcement Methods (2020–2025 & Q1 2026)
| Method | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 Q1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Departure confirmed from Canada (R240(1)) | 3,360 | 4,235 | 5,959 | 12,361 | 14,140 | 16,956 | 3,614 |
| Departure confirmed overseas (R240(2)) | 28 | 19 | 63 | 89 | 49 | 28 | 8 |
| Administrative removals (R240(3)) | 8,647 | 3,265 | 2,312 | 2,780 | 3,208 | 6,175 | 1,638 |
| Not captured | 823 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 12,858 | 7,523 | 8,335 | 15,231 | 17,397 | 23,160 | 5,260 |
Administrative removals (self‑deportation or evidence of departure without confirmation) represented 27% of removals in 2025 (6,175 people).
Table 5: Escorted vs. Unescorted Removals (2020–2025 & Q1 2026)
| Type | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 Q1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escorted | 424 | 591 | 837 | 1,404 | 1,183 | 1,639 | 261 |
| Unescorted | 12,430 | 6,928 | 7,492 | 13,742 | 16,107 | 20,619 | 4,988 |
| Not captured | 4 | 4 | 6 | 85 | 107 | 902 | 11 |
| Total | 12,858 | 7,523 | 8,335 | 15,231 | 17,397 | 23,160 | 5,260 |
In 2025, only 7% of removals required an escort (1,639 cases), indicating that the vast majority of foreign nationals left Canada without needing physical supervision.
Removals Inventory Overview (as of April 15, 2026)
The CBSA maintains several inventories to manage enforcement.
Table 6.1: Removal Sub‑Inventories by Region
| Region | Not Yet Actionable | Removal Not Possible | Wanted | Removal in Progress | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec | 183,229 | 15,256 | 8,533 | 13,750 | 220,768 |
| Greater Toronto Area | 65,475 | 6,606 | 21,079 | 10,747 | 103,907 |
| Pacific | 34,641 | 1,141 | 1,443 | 2,187 | 39,412 |
| Prairie | 15,029 | 2,332 | 954 | 1,865 | 20,180 |
| Northern Ontario | 15,554 | 1,416 | 892 | 1,194 | 19,056 |
| Southern Ontario | 3,547 | 403 | 367 | 253 | 4,570 |
| Atlantic | 511 | 168 | 58 | 133 | 870 |
| Not assigned | 165,879 | 1,738 | 6 | 1,353 | 168,976 |
| Grand Total | 483,865 | 29,060 | 33,332 | 31,482 | 577,739 |
Definitions:
- Not yet actionable: Individuals with pending refugee applications or protected status.
- Removal not possible: Legal barriers such as court appeals, PRRA, or criminal sentences.
- Wanted: Individuals who failed to appear for removal; subject to immigration warrant.
- Removal in progress: Actively being processed for departure.
Currently, 33,332 individuals are wanted by CBSA, meaning they have evaded removal. The removal‑in‑progress inventory stands at 31,482.
Table 6.2: Removal in Progress Inventory by Inadmissibility Type
| Inadmissibility Type | Count |
|---|---|
| Non‑compliance – refugee claimants | 27,515 |
| Criminality (s. 36) | 1,504 |
| Non‑compliance – non‑claimants | 1,475 |
| Misrepresentation (s. 40) | 422 |
| Not captured | 299 |
| Organized crime (s. 37) | 47 |
| Security grounds (s. 34) | 85 |
| Human rights violations (s. 35) | 31 |
| Others | 24 |
| Total | 31,482 |
Nearly 87% of the removal‑in‑progress inventory consists of failed refugee claimants (non‑compliance).
Top Citizenships – Removals (2020–2025 & Q1 2026)
Table 7.1: Top 10 Citizenships Removed (2020–2026 Q1)
| Rank | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 Q1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India (1,424) | Mexico (1,041) | Mexico (1,762) | Mexico (3,297) | Mexico (3,688) | Mexico (4,837) | India (1,712) |
| 2 | Mexico (1,391) | India (603) | India (786) | India (1,132) | India (2,004) | India (3,779) | Mexico (743) |
| 3 | Pakistan (1,011) | China (522) | US (524) | Colombia (1,057) | Colombia (984) | Haiti (2,275) | Haiti (248) |
| 4 | China (847) | US (472) | China (457) | China (746) | Haiti (821) | Colombia (892) | US (184) |
| 5 | Romania (630) | Pakistan (402) | Colombia (420) | US (553) | Romania (681) | Romania (828) | Colombia (169) |
| 6 | US (570) | Colombia (319) | Pakistan (312) | Venezuela (512) | US (643) | US (803) | Romania (138) |
| 7 | Colombia (322) | Romania (280) | Romania (222) | Haiti (458) | China (550) | Venezuela (626) | Bangladesh (116) |
| 8 | Bangladesh (308) | Nigeria (242) | Hungary (214) | Turkey (444) | Venezuela (482) | Pakistan (456) | Pakistan (109) |
| 9 | Haiti (308) | Haiti (168) | Nigeria (200) | Afghanistan (393) | Pakistan (394) | China (455) | Nigeria (97) |
| 10 | Nigeria (302) | Hungary (137) | Haiti (162) | Hungary (355) | Hungary (390) | Nigeria (438) | Chile (84) |
Trends:
- Mexico was the top citizenship removed for five consecutive years (2021–2025), peaking at 4,837 in 2025.
- India overtook Mexico in Q1 2026 (1,712 vs. 743), likely due to increased enforcement of failed refugee claims and overstays.
- Haiti surged into the top three in 2025 (2,275 removals) and remains high in Q1 2026.
Table 7.2: Removal‑in‑Progress Inventory – Top 10 Citizenships (as of April 15, 2026)
| Rank | Citizenship | Inventory Count |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 6,980 |
| 2 | Mexico | 5,311 |
| 3 | United States | 1,617 |
| 4 | China | 1,464 |
| 5 | Nigeria | 1,122 |
| 6 | Colombia | 963 |
| 7 | Pakistan | 928 |
| 8 | Brazil | 751 |
| 9 | Chile | 724 |
| 10 | Bangladesh | 633 |
| – | Remaining | 10,989 |
| Total | 31,482 |
Indian nationals make up the largest group in the removal‑in‑progress inventory (6,980), followed by Mexico (5,311). This suggests that many Indian and Mexican nationals are actively being processed for removal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: How many people did Canada remove in 2025?
A: The CBSA removed 23,160 foreign nationals in 2025, a 33% increase from 2024 (17,397).
Q2: What is the most common reason for removal?
A: Non‑compliance among refugee claimants (failed claims, missed deadlines, etc.) accounted for 83% of removals in 2025.
Q3: What is the difference between a departure order, exclusion order, and deportation order?
A:
- Departure order: Leave within 30 days; no permanent bar.
- Exclusion order: Cannot return for 1 year (or 5 years for misrepresentation).
- Deportation order: Permanent ban; requires written authorization to return.
Q4: Which region removes the most people?
A: Quebec consistently leads, with 10,628 removals in 2025 (46% of national total).
Q5: Who is in the removal‑in‑progress inventory?
A: As of April 15, 2026, 31,482 individuals are being actively processed for removal. The largest group by citizenship is India (6,980), followed by Mexico (5,311).
Q6: Can someone be removed if they have a pending refugee claim?
A: No – individuals with a pending claim are in the “not yet actionable” inventory and cannot be removed until a final decision is made.
Q7: How many people are currently wanted by CBSA for evading removal?
A: The wanted inventory contains 33,332 individuals who failed to appear for removal proceedings.
What These Statistics Mean for Canada’s Immigration System
- Removal enforcement has intensified significantly – from 12,858 removals in 2020 to 23,160 in 2025, an 80% increase.
- Failed refugee claimants are the primary driver – over 19,000 removed in 2025, representing 83% of all removals.
- Deportation orders are increasingly used – almost half of all removals now result in permanent bars.
- Quebec and Ontario bear the greatest enforcement burden – together they accounted for 77% of removals in 2025.
- India and Mexico remain key source countries – they top both removal and inventory lists.
The CBSA continues to prioritize removals of individuals who pose a risk to public safety or who have exhausted all legal avenues. With an inventory of over 31,000 in active removal processing, enforcement volumes are expected to remain high throughout 2026.
Canada’s removal machine is operating at record levels. In 2025, the CBSA removed over 23,000 people – the highest annual figure on record – and Q1 2026 data suggests another strong year. Failed refugee claimants account for the vast majority of removals, and the removal‑in‑progress inventory remains high at over 31,000 individuals.
For immigration practitioners, policymakers, and foreign nationals, these statistics underscore the importance of compliance with Canadian immigration laws and the real consequences of overstaying, misrepresentation, or failed claims.
Bookmark this page for regular updates – the CBSA releases quarterly removal statistics.
Update published: April 28, 2026. Data source: CBSA removals statistics (2020–2026 Q1), inventories as of April 15, 2026.
About Author
