The southern border is well known for the dangers it brings to our country in the form of criminal acts, drugs, gang activity, and more, including human trafficking. However, most Americans do not realize some of the same dangers have begun growing at the northern border, between Canada and the United States. In fact, according to Pennsylvania State Representative Mike Kelly, “There’s a lot more to the borders of the United States than just the southwestern border. We also have a northern border.” 

The Northern Border Caucus 

To address the growing issue involving the northern border and the way it is being abused when it comes to human trafficking, Kelly and other House Republicans recently created the Northern Border Caucus. Kelly went on to explain, “We have big borders, but we’ve always kind of trusted that there’s going to be an oversight. The thing we’re finding out now is there isn't as much oversight as we need.” The result is the northern border opening up the door to new ways for human trafficking.   

About The Northern Border

The northern border between America and Canada stretches more than 5000 miles. To put this in context, this is double the size of the United States-Mexico border. Kelly added that even with this immense size and scope, the northern border between the two countries goes mostly unwatched. Just because Canada sits to our north instead of Mexico, doesn’t mean there is no danger at that border when it comes to criminal activities. 

Why This Matters

Human traffickers utilize borders in and out of America to hide victims and provide a way to escape prosecution. Saved in America, being based in California understands the inner workings of what this means about the southern border, where America joins Mexico. However, the northern border, according to this story, bears watching as well. This makes sense as many gangs and cartels might see it as a new way to get into or out of America as more and more focus is turned toward the dangers at the southern border. Criminals will find a way to commit crimes and benefit from human trafficking. If that becomes harder down south, you can expect to see more and more criminal activity moving northward.