RCMP release video of migrants caught near Emerson

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This article was published 05/02/2025 (215 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

RCMP have released thermal imaging video in which a group of migrants was caught crossing into Canada, near Emerson, from the U.S. in mid-January.

Mounties released the brief video at a news conference in Edmonton Wednesday in which RCMP and Canada Border Services Agency officials released details of two recent border incidents at Coutts, Alta., 100 kioometres south of Lethbridge, as well as the earlier incident near Emerson.

The news conference was held to demonstrate law enforcement efforts on border security amid the tariff threat from U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump has insisted Canada clamp down on illegal migrants and illicit drugs that cross from Canada into the U.S., without giving evidence to back up his claim incidents are rising.

The 37-second video was taken by RCMP in an aircraft equipped with thermal imaging technology. It detected the migrants and guided officers on the ground to the location of the six people who were travelling in frigid temperatures in the dark on Jan. 14.

Mounties detected the group at about 7:30 p.m., 15 kilometres east of Emerson.

Three of the people were from Sudan, while the others were from Jordan, Chad and Mauritania. All were transferred to the border agency.

RCMP Asst. Commissioner Lisa Moreland had told the Free Press the aircraft’s ability to respond quickly was instrumental in ensuring the migrants weren’t harmed by the freezing temperatures, which dipped below -20 C.

Several ambulances were stationed at the RCMP detachment in Emerson, close to the border, if needed.

Moreland noted Wednesday no one in the group wore proper winter clothing.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca