Immigration detention and alternatives to detention statistics
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) may detain permanent residents and foreign nationals under certain conditions. The detention of minors occurs only in exceptional circumstances, with careful consideration given to their best interests.
This page presents calendar year statistics and analysis on individuals detained by the CBSA, including where detentions take place, their duration, and the legal grounds on which they are based.
Table 1.1: Detentions as a percentage of entries, by length of detention and by facility
Year
Entries by foreign nationals to Canada
Persons detained (total)
Persons in detention / daily average
Detainees as a percentage of entries by foreign nationals to Canada
Detention days
Average length of detention (days)
Median length of detention (days)
Detentions in IHCs
Detentions in non-IHCs
Detentions in provincial facilities (number and percentage)
Detentions in other facilities (number and percentage)
2019
34,224,824
9,052
335
0.03
118,547
13
2
7,347 (69%)
1,882 (18%)
1,356 (13%)
2020
6,874,089
3,073
175
0.04
62,685
20
5
2,154 (58%)
1,036 (28%)
507 (14%)
2021
6,265,251
2,467
172
0.04
61,802
25
8
1,766 (61%)
789 (27%)
331 (11%)
2022
20,431,784
4,878
220
0.02
78,299
16
2
3,820 (70%)
914 (17%)
690 (13%)
2023
30,056,326
5,167
269
0.02
96,063
19
3
4,190 (71%)
830 (14%)
900 (15%)
2024
32,757,317
4,258
220
0.01
78,625
18
5
3,678 (74%)
486 (10%)
784 (16%)
2025
30,999,064
3,598
185
0.01
65,840
18
5
3,117 (74%)
280 (7%)
836 (20%)
2026 (ongoing)
January to March
5,413,593
1,079
193
0.01
16,916
16
7
973 (82%)
N/A
208 (18%)
April to June
Data not yet available
July to September
Data not yet available
Notes:
All statistics related to number of persons detained or the number of detentions include the total number of persons in detention at any time during the reporting period. The number may include individuals whose detention began before the reporting period and/or who were released during (or after) the reporting period.
The numbers presented in each year or quarter cannot be added together to equal an annual sum. This is because the quarterly numbers reflect the number of people in detention at a given time, and could include a person who is detained over multiple reporting periods. Similarly, changes can take place over the time a person is detained that can lead to double-counting in the total number of people in detention by facility type. Individuals can be transferred between facility types, and could therefore be counted in both. Previous quarter totals may be slightly inflated due to late entry of release date in the system.
Detentions in other facilities includes other law enforcement agencies (that is, RCMP detachments, local and provincial police cells), CBSA ports of entry (POE) and inland enforcement (IE) cells. Note that POE and IE cells as well as other law enforcement agencies' cells are only used for very short periods of time.
Table 1.2: Persons detained by length of detention
The total number of persons detained by province when added together, is greater than the total number of persons detained in that quarter as persons may be transferred between provinces during their time in detention.
Table 1.4: Persons detained by grounds for detention
Grounds for detention
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026 (ongoing)
January to March
April to June
July to September
Danger to the public
73
48
29
26
59
70
76
26
N/A
N/A
Examination
247
93
47
277
298
141
92
17
N/A
N/A
Identity
556
169
85
338
338
173
135
42
N/A
N/A
Security certificate
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
N/A
N/A
Suspected inadmissibility on grounds of human/international rights violation
Suspected inadmissibility on grounds of serious criminality/criminality/organized criminality
45
24
33
120
102
107
109
31
N/A
N/A
Unlikely to appear/danger to the public
539
296
290
377
439
388
427
224
N/A
N/A
Unlikely to appear
7,740
2,523
2,025
3,794
3,986
3,395
2,795
754
N/A
N/A
Note:
The total number of persons detained by ground for detention, when added together, is greater than the total number of persons detained in that quarter as the same person may be detained on multiple grounds for detention.
A Canadian citizen cannot be detained but in rare and exceptional circumstances may be housed with or separated from a parent/guardian if it is in the best interests of the child.
Table 2.7: Detained minors by length of detention and facility type
Table 3.1: Total active alternative to detention participants during the selected period
Year
Community Case Management and Supervision (with mandatory residency)
Electronic Monitoring
Community Case Management and Supervision (excludes mandatory residency)
Remote Reporting
Voice Reporting
In-person Reporting
Total active alternative to detention participants
2019
40
36
513
-
3,195
13,296
15,117
2020
46
58
538
-
3,087
11,760
13,902
2021
66
58
536
-
3,558
12,087
14,460
2022
57
66
480
-
3,223
13,216
15,379
2023
64
68
440
-
2,238
15,909
17,030
2024
86
117
418
110
1,040
17,790
17,705
2025
87
151
373
2,841
-
19,607
19,863
2026 (ongoing)
January to March
40
88
267
3,100
-
13,978
16,082
April to June
Data not yet available
July to September
Data not yet available
Notes:
Persons can be released on many alternative to detention programs at one time.
The total count only counts each participant one time, regardless of the number of programs they are enrolled in.
Table 3.2: Overview of persons released from detention on an alternative to detention condition
Year
Persons detained
Persons released on an alternative to detention
Persons released on an alternatives to detention as a percentage of all persons detained (%)
Average number of days in detention prior to release
Number of persons released from an immigration holding center
Number of persons released from another facility
2019
9,052
2,376
26
25
1,506
104
2020
3,073
1,448
47
30
852
62
2021
2,467
1,108
45
25
710
59
2022
4,878
1,659
34
27
1,210
84
2023
5,167
1,859
36
28
1,433
115
2024
4,258
1,679
39
24
1,365
152
2025
3,598
1,380
38
21
1,144
151
2026 (ongoing)
January to March
1,079
297
28
18
248
47
April to June
Data not yet available
July to September
Data not yet available
Notes:
Persons may be detained for more than one quarter or they may have been arrested more than once.
The percentage of persons released on an alternative to detention is calculated by dividing the number of persons released at that time by the number of person detained at that same time.
The number of persons released on an alternative to detention includes Community Case Management and Supervision (with mandatory residency), Electronic Monitoring, Community Case Management and Supervision (excludes mandatory residency), Remote Reporting, In-person Reporting, Deposit, Guarantee, and other immigration conditions.
Another facility includes other law enforcement agencies like the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and provincial police cells. The CBSA ports of entry cells, the CBSA inland enforcement cells, and the other law enforcement agencies' cells are only used for short periods of time.
Table 3.3: Number of persons released from detention on an alternative to detention sorted by province (number and as a percentage of all persons detained)
Does not include persons who were enrolled directly in an alternative to detention program without detention. Zero percent means that there were detainees during this period, but no releases on an alternative to detention. If no percentage is provided, this means there were no detainees during this period.
Table 3.4: Number of persons released from detention by alternative to detention and by level of intervention
Year
Community Case Management and Supervision (with mandatory residency)
Electronic Monitoring
Community Case Management and Supervision (excludes mandatory residency)
The alternative to detention programs are listed from left to right from requiring the most intervention to the least intervention. People can be released on many alternative to detention programs but have only been counted once in this table according to the alternative to detention program that they're enrolled in that requires the most intervention.
Due to system limitations, the number of persons released from detention by alternative to detention and by level of intervention cannot be captured at this time for remote reporting.
Table 3.5: Number of new enrollments on alternative to detention by program type
Year
Community Case Management and Supervision (with mandatory residency)
Electronic Monitoring
Community Case Management and Supervision (excludes mandatory residency)
Remote Reporting
Voice Reporting
In-person Reporting
Total
2019
35
24
185
-
2,708
4,951
7,903
2020
30
33
175
-
558
2,988
3,784
2021
47
35
137
-
1,038
3,109
4,366
2022
30
27
116
-
621
5,093
5,887
2023
46
33
152
-
277
6,326
6,834
2024
60
82
132
110
0
6,828
7,212
2025
63
99
117
2,733
-
7,169
10,181
2026 (ongoing)
January to March
9
22
26
1,003
-
1,656
2,719
April to June
Data not yet available
July to September
Data not yet available
Table 3.6: Number of non-compliant alternative to detention participants by program type (All)
Year
Community Case Management and Supervision (with mandatory residency)
Electronic Monitoring
Community Case Management and Supervision (excludes mandatory residency)
The above table represents all occurrences of non-compliance for all ATD programs participants are enrolled in. It is not based on only the highest level of monitoring.
Non-compliance rates for remote reporting cannot be accurately reflected at this time due to system limitations and the lack of retrievable data.
Table 3.7: Number of compliant alternative to detention participants that were previously detained by program type
Year
Community Case Management and Supervision (with mandatory residency)
Electronic Monitoring
Community Case Management and Supervision (excludes mandatory residency)
Remote Reporting
Voice Reporting
In-person Reporting
Total and rate of compliance (%)
2019
13
11
170
-
81
1,684
67
2020
17
25
246
-
67
1,680
43
2021
30
45
389
-
142
1,794
56
2022
25
40
264
-
127
2,070
56
2023
29
36
280
-
115
2,525
60
2024
54
46
311
-
76
2,645
62
2025
54
72
17
-
-
1,680
63
2026 (ongoing)
January to March
28
56
214
-
-
2,397
84
April to June
Data not yet available
July to September
Data not yet available
Note:
Compliance rates for remote reporting cannot be accurately reflected at this time due to system limitations and the lack of retrievable data.
Table 3.8: Number of compliant alternative to detention participants that were not previously detained by program type
Year
Community Case Management and Supervision (with mandatory residency)
Electronic Monitoring
Community Case Management and Supervision (excludes mandatory residency)
Non-compliance rates for remote reporting cannot be accurately reflected at this time due to system limitations and the lack of retrievable data.
Table 3.11: Number of active alternatives to detention participants that have been removed from Canada or that have acquired regularization of status by program type
Year
Community Case Management and Supervision (with mandatory residency)
Electronic Monitoring
Community Case Management and Supervision (excludes mandatory residency)
Regularization of status is recorded as those who have obtained permanent resident or protected persons status.
The last alternative to detention that the client was on is the alternative to detention that is captured under the removal order.
Participants are counted based on the highest level of intervention programming they are participating in.
Table 3.12: Number of non-compliant alternatives to detention participants that have been removed from Canada or that have acquired regularization of status by program type
Year
Community Case Management and Supervision (with mandatory residency)
Electronic Monitoring
Community Case Management and Supervision (excludes mandatory residency)
Regularization of status is recorded as those who have obtained permanent resident or protected persons status.
The last alternative to detention that the client was on is the alternative to detention that is captured under the removal order.
Non-compliance rates for remote reporting cannot be accurately reflected at this time due to system limitations and the lack of retrievable data.
Table 3.13: Number of non-compliant alternatives to detention participants who have a pending decision on a permanent resident application on humanitarian and compassionate grounds
Year
Community Case Management and Supervision (with mandatory residency)
Electronic Monitoring
Community Case Management and Supervision (excludes mandatory residency)
Humanitarian and compassionate grounds allow individuals who would not normally be eligible to become permanent residents of Canada to apply for special consideration. These applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Non-compliance rates for remote reporting cannot be accurately reflected at this time due to system limitations and the lack of retrievable data.
Table 3.14: Compliance rate for people released on community case management and supervision or electronic monitoring programs, who were originally detained for being a danger to the public
Year
Number of participants released
Number of participants in compliance
Total compliance rate (%)
2019
114
96
84
2020
331
220
67
2021
123
105
85
2022
123
91
74
2023
110
85
77
2024
97
85
88
2025
91
75
82
2026 (ongoing)
January to March
74
74
100
April to June
Data not yet available
July to September
Data not yet available
Definitions
The following terms define the different types of facilities utilized by the CBSA:
Immigration holding centre: A facility managed by the CBSA that is designed to temporarily detain individuals that are inadmissible. These centers may hold individuals while they await immigration hearings, status resolution, or removal from Canada. The CBSA manages three IHCs, which are located in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia.
Other: Detentions in other facilities includes other law enforcement agencies (that is, RCMP detachments, local and provincial police cells), CBSA ports of entry and inland enforcement cells. Note that port of entry, inland enforcement cells, and other law enforcement agencies' cells are only used for very short periods of time.
Provincial correctional facility: A facility managed by a provincial government.
Youth centre: A facility that provides housing and supportive care for minors.
The following grounds for detention (section 55 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act) may apply to a permanent resident or foreign national who may be inadmissible to Canada:
Examination: If an officer considers it is necessary to get more information from an individual to complete the examination, that individual could be detained to allow the officer to do so. An examination can be as simple as a few questions, but can also include an examination of the person's personal belongings, more intensive questioning, or personal searches.
Suspected of serious criminality, criminality or organized criminality
Suspected inadmissibility on grounds of security
Suspected inadmissibility on grounds of human/international rights violation
Identity: If an officer is unable to verify an individual's identity, that person may be detained.
Danger to the public: Factors considered when detaining someone as a danger to the public are outlined in section 246 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. Factors may include, but are not limited to, past criminality and criminal associations.
Unlikely to appear: A person may be detained if an officer believes the person is unlikely to appear for examination, an admissibility hearing, removal from Canada or at a proceeding that could lead to the making of a removal order.
The following terms define the different types of processes in immigration detention that involve minors:
Best interests of the child: An international principle to ensure children enjoy the full and effective benefit of all their rights recognized in Canadian law and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It is also a rule of procedure that includes an assessment of the possible impact (positive or negative) of a decision on the child or children concerned.
Minor: A person under the age of 18.
Accompanied minor: A foreign national or permanent resident who arrives to Canada accompanied by a responsible adult (parent, guardian).
Detained minor: A foreign national or permanent resident who is deemed to be inadmissible and is subject to an Order for Detention under section 55 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
Housed minor: A foreign national, permanent resident or Canadian citizen who, after the completion of a best interest of the child assessment, is kept with their detained parent/legal guardian at an IHC at the latter's request. A housed minor is not subject to an Order for Detention and is free to remain and re-enter the CBSA IHC subject to the parent/legal guardian's consent.
Unaccompanied minor: A foreign national or permanent resident who arrives to Canada unaccompanied by a responsible adult (parent, guardian) and is not effectively taken into the care of such a person.
Separated minor: All events where a minor is separated from an accompanying parent(s) / legal guardian(s), and are:
placed with a family member in the community (other than a parent or legal guardian)
placed under the care of a child welfare agency, or
placed under the care of a non-governmental organization, etc.
The following terms define the different types of programs within the Alternatives to Detention program:
Community supervision: A program that allows individuals to live in the community and be supported by family, or by a third party service provider that specializes in community service. Community supervision consists of three programs:
release on a deposit or guarantee to a bondsperson
release on reporting conditions
release on a Community Case Management and Supervision program
Deposit: The person is only released from detention once funds are deposited.
Guarantee: The bondsperson will need to pay the money that is promised if the person in detention does not respect the conditions of their release.
Conditions: The CBSA and/or the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will put in place conditions when a person is released, based on their risk level.
Remote Reporting: ReportIn, a remote reporting application, that may be used for eligible individuals to report to the CBSA remotely, including those who may not be able to physically report in person due to geographical location or mobility issues.
Community case management and supervision: For people who need support and a bondsperson to lower their level of risk when released into the community. The CBSA has contracts with the John Howard Society of Canada, the Toronto Bail Program and the Salvation Army.
Electronic monitoring: A limited number of people are chosen based on the level of risk they present and are monitored through a GPS and/or Radio Frequency system. Electronic monitoring is meant to be used with community supervision.
Active alternative to detention participants: Active alternative to detention participants are the number of people who are on an active alternative to detention program at some point during the selected period. This number of active participants can include:
a person whose alternative to detention program began before the selected period and/or ended during (or after) the reporting period
a person enrolled before the official launch of the expanded alternative to detention program on June 22, 2018, but who remains an active participant to the program during the selected period
a person who avoided detention and was placed in an alternative to detention program
Counting the number of participants: The number of active alternative to detention participants at a specific time is not the same as the number of new enrollments. A person can be active in more than one alternative to detention program. This can create times where the person is counted once for each program they were active in. For this reason, it is not possible to add up the number of participants for each program to get the total number of individuals on an alternative to detention program.
A person will be added to the alternative to detention totals in every quarter where they are enrolled in an alternative to detention program. For this reason, the quarters cannot be added together for the total number of active alternative to detention participants in the year to date.
