MONTRÉAL — Nineteen migrants of Haitian origin were arrested on Christmas in Quebec after RCMP say they illegally crossed the border from the United States on an extremely cold evening.
Mounties say it happened in the Havelock area of Montérégie in southern Quebec, approximately five kilometers from the border with the state of New York.
They say the people in the group were between the ages of one and 60, including a three-year-old.
RCMP say in an email that Integrated Border Police Team officers found an initial group of 15 people hiding in the woods on Thursday evening, after being notified by the United States Border Patrol.
Officers continued their search until around 10:30 p.m. to find the rest of the group.
Eight people were taken to hospital. According to the RCMP, six of them required treatment for frostbite.
“The two young children were also taken to hospital as a precautionary measure. According to the information available, their lives are not in danger,” the RCMP email said.
One man was also arrested by patrol officers who “had reason to believe he was near the scene to pick up several of these migrants with his car.” His vehicle was seized.
All of the people who were intercepted have applied for asylum, RCMP said. Their cases are now in the hands of the Canada Border Services Agency.
RCMP reminded people that it is extremely dangerous to attempt to cross the border illegally, especially in winter, when people are often ill-equipped to face the cold.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 27, 2025.
The Canadian Press
