In 2025, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) deported a record number of 8,982 foreign nationals for violating immigration laws, imposing permanent bans that require special authorization for future return. This reflects CBSA’s strong stance on inadmissibility amid economic and housing challenges.
As per the latest data until December 2025, CBSA reported a total of 18,969 removals for the year, with detailed breakdowns available up to October 31 showing 18,785 instances. Among these, 841 cases involved serious inadmissibility grounds like national security threats, organized crime, human rights violations, and criminality.
Despite a 12% decline in legitimate travelers from the previous year, over 70 million individuals entered the country, emphasizing a targeted approach to dealing with inadmissibility.
Unpacking the Record CBSA Enforced Removals in 2025
Official CBSA data updated until October 31, 2025, reveals that a total of 18,785 foreign nationals were forcibly removed during the year, including 8,982 deportations, 5,821 exclusions, and 3,982 departures. This marks a significant increase from prior years, continuing an upward trend in removals.
The enforcement pace is evident in quarterly breakdowns, showing 5,654 removals in Q1, 5,400 in Q2, 6,478 in Q3, and 1,253 in the first month of Q4. Serious inadmissibility cases, amounting to 841 instances, further highlight the stringent approach.
Additionally, CBSA officers prevented entry for 35,608 individuals at U.S. land borders deemed inadmissible, with security screenings for over 61,960 asylum claimants and interventions abroad in 5,889 cases to prevent boarding due to invalid documents.
Spotlight on Deportation Orders: Permanent Bans and Their Implications
Deportation orders, the most severe form of enforcement, totaled 8,982 in 2025 up to October, indicating a notable increase from the previous year. These orders, which bar re-entry without permission, accounted for almost half of the total removals.
Legislation changes, like the Strong Borders Act, have expanded grounds for refugee ineligibility and strengthened CBSA’s authority, leading to more deportation orders. These orders typically result from criminal convictions or non-compliance, serving as a deterrent against abuse of the system.
The implications of deportation orders are far-reaching, impacting recipients with lifelong consequences such as family separation and career disruptions. Cases involving serious offenses like child pornography convictions have sparked debates on Canadian values and system vulnerabilities.
Regional Variations Where the Enforcement Focus Lies
Deportations varied by region in 2025, with Quebec leading at 8,450 removals, followed by the Greater Toronto Area, Pacific, Prairie, Southern Ontario, Northern Ontario, and Atlantic regions. Quebec maintained its lead in fiscal 2025-2026, reflecting regional migration patterns and enforcement priorities.
Experts attribute regional disparities to demographic trends and entry points, with Quebec’s immigration programs attracting individuals from Haiti and Africa, contributing to higher non-compliance rates.
Grounds for Inadmissibility: Why People Are Being Removed
Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, removals in 2025 were triggered by various inadmissibility grounds, with non-compliance being the most prevalent. Criminality, organized crime, misrepresentation, cessation of status, and other factors also led to removals, emphasizing the importance of adhering to immigration laws.
