Quick Summary
Ottawa – The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) removed over 18,000 inadmissible individuals from Canada in fiscal year 2024-2025 – the highest number in a decade and a significant increase from approximately 16,000 the previous year.
- 01Quick Summary
- 02Removals at a Glance: Key Statistics
- 03Year-by-Year Removal Trends (2020-2025)
- 04Who Gets Removed? Understanding Inadmissibility
- 05The CBSA Removal Process: Step by Step
- 06Budget 2025: $55.5M Border Plan
- 07The Wanted Inventory: Over 30,000 Cases
- 08Immigration Warrants: How CBSA Tracks Evaders
- 09Impediments to Removal: Why Some Cannot Be Deported
- 10Public Safety vs. Due Process
- 11Frequently Asked Questions
- 12Official Sources
- 13Bottom Line
According to a Question Period Note released by Public Safety Canada, the government is ramping up enforcement efforts with a $55.5 million investment aimed at reaching 20,000 annual removals for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027.
Since April 1, 2025, the CBSA has already enforced nearly 14,000 removals – putting the agency well on track to meet its target.
Priority Focus: Removing individuals inadmissible for security and criminality remains the CBSA's top priority. Since April 1, 2025, over 700 such individuals have been removed – a 20% increase over last year.
Removals at a Glance: Key Statistics
| Metric | Number |
|---|---|
| Removals enforced FY 2024-2025 | 18,048 (highest in a decade) |
| Removals enforced FY 2023-2024 | 16,343 |
| Removals since April 1, 2025 | Nearly 14,000 |
| Security/criminality removals since April 1, 2025 | 700+ (20% increase) |
| Target annual removals (2025-2027) | 20,000 |
| Budget allocation for removals | $55.5 million |
| New CBSA officers to be hired | 1,000 |
| Current removal-in-progress inventory | Over 30,000 (double from 5 years ago) |
Year-by-Year Removal Trends (2020-2025)
The following table shows removals enforced by fiscal year over the past five years:
| Fiscal Year | Removals Enforced |
|---|---|
| 2020-2021 | 11,262 |
| 2021-2022 | 7,530 |
| 2022-2023 | 10,240 |
| 2023-2024 | 16,343 |
| 2024-2025 | 18,048 |
Key observation: Removals dropped significantly in 2021-2022 (likely due to pandemic travel restrictions) but have since rebounded sharply, nearly doubling from 2022-2023 to 2024-2025.
Who Gets Removed? Understanding Inadmissibility
Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) , individuals may be found inadmissible and subject to removal for a variety of reasons:
| Inadmissibility Ground | Examples |
|---|---|
| Security | Espionage, subversion, terrorism |
| Criminality | Convictions for criminal offences |
| Organized crime | Membership in organized criminal groups |
| Human rights violations | War crimes, crimes against humanity |
| Non-compliance with IRPA | Overstaying visas, misrepresentation |
| Failed refugee claims | Claims that have been rejected |
CBSA Removal Priorities (Tiered Risk Management)
| Priority Level | Cases Included |
|---|---|
| Highest Priority | Security, organized crime, crimes against humanity, criminality |
| Second Tier | Failed refugee claimants |
| Lowest Priority | All other inadmissible persons |
The CBSA Removal Process: Step by Step
The removal process follows a structured legal framework that ensures due process before anyone is removed from Canada.
Step 1: Inadmissibility Report (Section 44 Report)
A CBSA officer issues a 44 report outlining the grounds of inadmissibility. This report is referred to an authorized decision-maker.
Step 2: Decision on Removal
Depending on the inadmissibility ground and the individual's status:
- A Minister's Delegate may issue a removal order directly
- The case may be referred to the Immigration Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) for an admissibility hearing
Step 3: Legal Recourse (Due Process)
Individuals subject to removal orders have access to multiple avenues of appeal and review:
| Recourse Option | Body | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Appeal | IRB (Immigration Appeal Division) | Appeal of removal orders |
| Judicial review | Federal Court of Canada | Review of legal errors |
| Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) | IRCC | For those fearing persecution in home country |
| Humanitarian & Compassionate application | IRCC | For permanent residence on H&C grounds |
Important: Some recourse options are limited by legislated factors. Not every individual has access to all appeal mechanisms.
Step 4: Removal Enforcement
If all legal avenues are exhausted and the individual remains inadmissible, the CBSA enforces the removal order.
Budget 2025: $55.5M Border Plan
The Fall Economic Statement (FES) provided $55.5 million over three years to the CBSA to:
- Support front-end immigration and asylum processing activities
- Achieve a 25% increase in the number of removals enforced
- Reduce inventory backlogs
- Increase removal capacity
- Address anticipated increases in removals-related litigation
Specific Investments
| Initiative | Details |
|---|---|
| New CBSA officers | 1,000 new officers, some dedicated to removals |
| Regional staffing | Funding primarily for regional staff |
| Removals Action Plan | Enhance program delivery, prioritize cases, leverage resources efficiently, engage priority countries |
The funding aims to achieve 20,000 removals in FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27 .
The Wanted Inventory: Over 30,000 Cases
As of November 2025 , there are over 30,000 individuals in the CBSA's removal-in-progress inventory – more than double the number from five years ago.
Why Has the Inventory Grown?
The primary driver is a cumulative growth in failed refugee claims. As more individuals make asylum claims and are refused, the removal inventory grows.
Wanted for Removal Inventory
| Period | New Cases Added | Removals Enforced |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-2024 / 2024-2025 | Approximately 4,000 | 34,500 |
How Cases Are Resolved
The wanted inventory is updated daily as individuals are located and removed, while new cases are added as the CBSA works through its removals inventory.
Note: The inventory reflects a cumulative total of cases over many years, not just recent cases.
Immigration Warrants: How CBSA Tracks Evaders
When an inadmissible foreign national does not report for removal, the CBSA will:
- Initiate an investigation
- Issue an immigration warrant
Warrant Distribution
Immigration warrants are sent to the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) so that local police may notify CBSA if they encounter an individual subject to an immigration warrant.
CBSA Enforcement Resources
| Resource | Number |
|---|---|
| Personnel dedicated to immigration investigations and removals | Over 550 |
| Tip line for public information | Active |
Recent Warrant and Removal Statistics
| Metric | Last Year | This Year (so far) |
|---|---|---|
| Warrants closed (inadmissible with criminal convictions) | 542 | 254 |
| Individuals removed for criminality/organized crime/security | 905 | Included above |
Who Is Subject to Immigration Warrants?
Warrants may be issued for individuals who are:
- Presently serving a criminal sentence (whereabouts known) – warrants ensure CBSA is notified upon sentence completion
- Avoiding removal after exhausting legal options
- Uncooperative with the removal process
What Happened to the "Wanted by CBSA" Web Page?
The public webpage listing wanted individuals was:
- Launched in 2011
- Remained active until 2023
- Total featured individuals: 159
- Results: Some individuals located and arrested through public tips
Why was it removed in 2023?
Investigative tools and methods had evolved, making the public webpage no longer necessary for operations.
Impediments to Removal: Why Some Cannot Be Deported
The CBSA faces several challenges that can hinder or delay removals:
| Impediment | Description |
|---|---|
| Uncooperative foreign nationals | Refuse to provide necessary information or documentation |
| Foreign government refusal | Home country refuses to accept their national back |
| Travel document delays | Foreign governments fail to issue timely travel documents |
| Criminal proceedings | Individuals with pending criminal charges or serving sentences cannot be removed until resolved |
| Legal appeals | Individuals may exhaust multiple appeal mechanisms |
How CBSA Addresses These Challenges
- Works closely with foreign governments
- Coordinates with Canadian officials abroad
- Partners with other departments
- Participates in international forums to identify joint strategies and best practices
Public Safety vs. Due Process
The government emphasizes that all individuals subject to enforcement action have access to due process before the law. However, this legal protection can sometimes conflict with rapid removal.
Key Balancing Points
| Public Safety Priority | Due Process Protection |
|---|---|
| Remove high-risk individuals quickly | Access to appeals, judicial review, PRRA |
| Locate and arrest evaders | H&C applications for permanent residence |
| Prevent re-entry of removed individuals | Legal representation and hearings |
Important: Canada's immigration system does not allow for the proactive arrest and detention of every person subject to enforcement action. The IRPA contains provisions for arrest and detention only for those who:
- Pose a danger to the public
- Are unlikely to appear for an immigration process
Cooperative vs. Non-Cooperative Cases
- Cooperative individuals often comply until all appeal mechanisms are exhausted, then fail to report
- Some foreign nationals leave Canada without confirming departure, remaining in the wanted inventory until exit data is verified
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people did Canada remove last year?
The CBSA removed 18,048 inadmissible individuals in fiscal year 2024-2025 – the highest number in a decade.
What is the target for this year?
The government aims to reach 20,000 removals for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027.
Who is prioritized for removal?
Highest priority goes to cases involving security, organized crime, crimes against humanity, and criminality. Failed refugee claimants are second priority.
How many people are waiting to be removed?
As of November 2025, there are over 30,000 individuals in the CBSA's removal-in-progress inventory – double the number from five years ago.
What is a "44 report"?
A Section 44 report is a document issued by a CBSA officer outlining the grounds of inadmissibility. It is the first step in the removal process.
Can someone appeal a removal order?
Yes. Individuals may appeal to the IRB's Immigration Appeal Division, seek judicial review at the Federal Court, apply for a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA), or submit a Humanitarian & Compassionate application, depending on their eligibility.
Why can't CBSA just remove everyone immediately?
Several impediments exist:
- Uncooperative individuals who refuse to provide documentation
- Foreign governments that refuse to accept their nationals
- Ongoing criminal proceedings
- Legal appeals and reviews
What happens to the "wanted" list?
The public "Wanted by CBSA" webpage was removed in 2023 because investigative tools evolved. However, CBSA still maintains an internal wanted inventory and uses CPIC to alert police.
How many CBSA officers work on removals?
Over 550 CBSA personnel are dedicated to immigration investigations and removals, focusing on cases that pose a risk to security and public safety.
Can the public help?
Yes. CBSA maintains a tip line for the public to share information about the whereabouts of individuals trying to evade the law.
Official Sources
| Source | Reference |
|---|---|
| Public Safety Canada | Question Period Note PS-2025-QP-00007 (Nov 25, 2025) |
| Canada Border Services Agency | Removal statistics and enforcement data |
| Budget 2025 / Border Plan | $55.5M investment, 1,000 new officers |
| Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) | Legal framework for inadmissibility |
Bottom Line
Canada is significantly ramping up immigration enforcement.
Key takeaways:
- ✅ 18,048 removals in FY 2024-2025 – highest in a decade
- ✅ 20,000 annual target for 2025-2026 and 2026-2027
- ✅ $55.5 million investment in removal capacity
- ✅ 1,000 new CBSA officers being hired
- ✅ 700+ security/criminality removals since April 2025 (20% increase)
- ⚠️ Over 30,000 individuals currently in removal inventory (doubled in 5 years)
What this means:
- The government is prioritizing public safety by removing high-risk individuals faster
- Failed refugee claimants face a growing backlog and longer waits
- Individuals who are inadmissible for criminality or security are being targeted first
- The system balances due process with enforcement – but resources are increasing significantly
For individuals subject to removal proceedings: Seek legal advice immediately. Multiple avenues of appeal exist, but they must be pursued within strict deadlines.
For the general public: The CBSA continues to accept tips about individuals evading removal. The agency's enforcement capacity has never been greater.
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