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In mid-January, a 25-year-old Haitian woman undertook a treacherous trek through a frigid forest near the Quebec border, carrying her young daughter as snow piled up to her knees. With temperatures plummeting to -11°C, she relied on a phone for directions, guided by a voice that instructed her and four other Haitian migrants on navigating the perilous route. Weeks later, they have arrived in Canada, seeking asylum from the increasingly hostile climate for immigrants in the United States.
A Harrowing Escape
During a recent interview, the mother, who requested to remain anonymous for fear of jeopardising her immigration prospects, recounted the desperate measures she took to ensure her daughter’s safety. Migrant advocates report that her experience is becoming alarmingly commonplace. As U.S. immigration policies under former President Donald Trump continue to tighten, many are risking their lives, hoping for a chance at a new beginning in Canada.
The woman expressed her fears about the anti-immigrant sentiments fostered by Trump’s administration, asking rhetorically, “Am I not human?… Why is someone so cruel and mean?” Before embarking on her journey, she understood the risks involved. “I prepared for the worst,” she said. “Even if we got caught, I would have begged them to let my child in. I just wanted her to be safe.”
The Journey Across the Border
Equipped with only essential items—boots, coats, hats, and gloves—the mother initially carried a backpack but lightened her load to keep only identification for herself and her daughter. What was described by smugglers as a 35- to 45-minute walk turned into a grueling ordeal lasting from 5 p.m. until nearly 2 a.m. Another mother and child in their group struggled to keep pace, forcing frequent stops.
As they neared the Quebec border, the group waited for hours in near darkness. Huddled along roadside hedges to keep warm, the mother watched her daughter succumb to exhaustion and fall asleep. In a moment of desperation, she reached out to Frantz André, the head of a Montreal-based migrant advocacy group, pleading with him not to alert border authorities. “We were so cold,” she recalled. “I told him that if nothing happened by 3 a.m., then he could call.”
A vehicle finally arrived around 2 a.m. The mother, weary but determined, secured her place in the car with her daughter. She was taken to a motel, where she remained alert, unable to rest as she focused on her child.
The Stakes of Immigration Policy
The woman had lived in Georgia for two years after arriving in the U.S. via a humanitarian parole programme initiated by Joe Biden’s administration. Following Trump’s decision to end that programme in May 2025, she sought temporary protected status but received no response. With her legal status in the U.S. now nonexistent, she had paid approximately $4,100 to a local group for assistance in reaching Canada—money that represented nearly all her savings.
Since Christmas, at least 27 Haitian migrants have been apprehended after attempting to cross the Canadian border on foot, with some suffering from hypothermia and frostbite. U.S. Customs and Border Protection has indicated that individuals without lawful status may be transferred to the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Under the Canada-U.S. Safe Third Country Agreement, asylum seekers must file their claims in the first safe country they enter. However, exceptions exist. Those who evade detection for two weeks after crossing can apply for asylum in Canada, as can unaccompanied minors. After her crossing, the Haitian mother and her daughter remained hidden for two weeks before meeting with André, who is now assisting her asylum application.
Hope on the Horizon
André remains optimistic about her future, stating, “If everything goes well, in two years, she will have her status. For now, she can look forward to a future without fear.” The mother, still processing her traumatic experience, remarked, “I haven’t cried yet. Maybe one day I will, to free myself. But for now, I still have things to do.” She aspires to enrol her daughter in school and dreams of a peaceful life in Canada.
As her birthday approaches on February 12, she reflects on the significance of this milestone. “I’ve already given myself my gift,” she said. “It was getting out of the mess I was in in the United States.”
Why it Matters
The harrowing journey of this Haitian mother underscores the urgent need for compassionate immigration policies and robust support systems for those fleeing violence and instability. As more individuals risk their lives to escape oppressive environments, understanding their stories and challenges becomes crucial in fostering a society that values humanity and dignity for all. The implications of these journeys extend beyond personal struggles; they challenge us to reconsider the very frameworks of safety and belonging in our global community.
