US Expands Human Smuggling Enforcement Across Canada, Maritime Borders

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has warned that human smuggling across the northern border with Canada is worsening, prompting the expansion of Joint Task Force Alpha to cover both the Canada-U.S. and maritime borders. Bondi highlighted recent indictments, including a major case involving Norma Linda Lozano, accused of leading a human smuggling operation that transported children across the northern border. She emphasized that smuggling networks exploit unaccompanied children to facilitate illegal entry and fund criminal enterprises, with cases involving immigrants from multiple countries. Bondi’s comments followed a meeting with Canadian officials aimed at enhancing border security amid tensions over President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canada, which were increased to 35 percent citing border security concerns. The U.S. and Canada continue to invest in additional resources like drones, officers, and legislation to combat fentanyl trafficking and transnational crime. The Justice Department and Homeland Security are coordinating nationwide efforts to prosecute smugglers and protect vulnerable migrants, underscoring the seriousness of transnational criminal organizations operating along the northern frontier.