Last Wednesday, a LaSalle police officer intercepted what authorities describe as an attempted illegal border crossing from the United States into Canada. The incident unfolded along a rarely patrolled stretch of riverfront near Fighting Island in the Detroit River.
Officer Marie Dumont was conducting a routine patrol when she noticed unusual movement along the shoreline just after 2 a.m. According to the official report I obtained from the LaSalle Police Service, Dumont observed two individuals attempting to navigate the narrow channel in what appeared to be an inflatable raft.
“The Detroit River may look crossable at certain points, but the currents are unpredictable and dangerous,” Dumont told me during our interview at the LaSalle station. “These individuals were putting themselves at serious risk, not to mention attempting to circumvent proper border procedures.”
Court documents reveal the two men, both citizens of Ecuador, had allegedly paid a smuggler $3,500 each for transportation across the border. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has reported a 27% increase in irregular crossing attempts along this corridor over the past year.
I spoke with immigration attorney Priya Sharma, who frequently handles cases involving irregular border crossings. “What makes this case notable is the method and location,” she explained. “Most irregular entries we see involve land crossings at remote points along the Quebec-New York border or in British Columbia. Water crossings like this are relatively uncommon but potentially more dangerous.”
The incident highlights ongoing challenges in border security along Canada’s southern boundary. According to data from Public Safety Canada, authorities intercepted approximately 2,300 irregular crossing attempts last year, with the majority occurring at established irregular crossing points like Roxham Road in Quebec.
“Border communities like LaSalle face unique challenges,” said Mayor Ron Dupuis when I reached him by phone. “We’re literally separated from the United States by a river that narrows in certain places. It’s impossible to monitor every meter of shoreline continuously.”
The CBSA has confirmed both individuals are currently in custody awaiting immigration proceedings. Under Canadian immigration law, the men have the right to claim asylum, though unauthorized entry can complicate such claims.
Professor Thomas Chen of the University of Windsor’s Border Security Research Institute told me this case reflects broader patterns. “We’re seeing increasingly diverse methods of irregular migration across multiple entry points. It suggests smuggling networks are adapting to enforcement patterns, seeking out vulnerabilities in the system.”
My review of court records shows the alleged smuggler, identified as a 42-year-old American citizen from Detroit, faces multiple charges including human smuggling under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, which carries potential penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment.
Officer Dumont’s quick action potentially prevented tragedy. Water temperature in the Detroit River measured just 12°C that night, cold enough to cause hypothermia within 30 minutes of immersion. The raft used in the crossing attempt was recovered and found to be a consumer-grade inflatable boat not designed for the strong currents of the Detroit River.
CBSA spokesperson Jean Lapointe provided this statement: “We commend the vigilance of the LaSalle Police Service in this matter. Transborder smuggling presents serious public safety and national security concerns. Those considering irregular entry should be aware of both the legal consequences and physical dangers.”
For LaSalle’s small police force of 38 officers, border security represents an ongoing challenge. Chief Sam Ibrahim emphasized that while border enforcement primarily falls under federal jurisdiction, local police play a critical supporting role.
“Our officers know the community and its geographic features intimately,” Ibrahim said. “That local knowledge can be invaluable when it comes to detecting unusual activity along our waterfront.”
The case raises questions about resource allocation for border security in small communities that happen to sit on international boundaries. A 2023 report from the Auditor General found significant gaps in monitoring capabilities along water borders, with technology deployment concentrated at official ports of entry rather than potential irregular crossing points.
For residents of LaSalle, the incident serves as a reminder of their community’s unique position. As I walked the shoreline near where the attempted crossing occurred, several locals mentioned spotting unusual boat traffic occasionally but rarely reporting it.
“You see all kinds of boats out there in summer,” said longtime resident Marie Tremblay, who lives near the water. “Unless someone’s obviously in distress, it’s hard to know what’s routine and what might be suspicious.”
Officer Dumont’s actions have drawn praise from both local and federal authorities. The case will proceed through immigration courts in the coming weeks, with preliminary hearings scheduled for August 23rd.
