Reports from federal border patrol officials suggest an increase in illegal entries into the USA from Canada via the Niagara River.
Brady Waikel, head of patrol at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection station in Niagara Falls, has spent his entire 24 year career with CBP. Working stints at both the southern and northern borders, Waikel noted that the security challenge is different in both places with the most notable difference being volume.
But that doesn't mean people are not crossing from Canada. The assumption their attempt across the Niagara River would be successful might be the only motivation.
"From around November, there has been a discernible surge in instances of individuals attempting to cross in small rafts and vessels," Waikel told Channel 7 WBKW News (find link to full story HERE).
In most instances, according to Waikel, these are cases of human trafficking.