Canada’s immigration enforcement landscape is getting more attention — and the latest CBSA removals from Canada are a clear reason why.
The Canada Border Services Agency reported 111 foreign nationals removed in connection with enforcement efforts involving extortion-related activity, organized crime, and other grounds of inadmissibility. As of September 3, 2026, the agency had also issued 188 removal orders connected to the initiative.
But here’s the part immigration applicants need to understand: this is not a blanket removal action against immigrants or temporary residents.
The cases involve specific admissibility and enforcement issues under Canadian immigration law.
What Is Behind the Latest CBSA Removals?
On September 14, 2026, CBSA announced that 111 individuals had been removed as part of enforcement efforts targeting foreign nationals linked to extortion-related activity.
The cases covered three regions:
| Region | Removal Orders | Individuals Removed |
|---|---|---|
| Pacific | 91 | 58 |
| Prairie | 47 | 30 |
| Greater Toronto Area | 50 | 23 |
| Total | 188 | 111 |
According to CBSA, the figures were based on information available as of September 3, 2026. The agency began dedicating resources to potential extortion-related cases in the Pacific and Prairie regions in August 2025, later expanding the initiative to the Greater Toronto Area in November 2025.
Is CBSA Removing All Foreign Workers and Immigrants?
No.
That’s an important distinction.
The latest announcement concerns specific foreign nationals who may be inadmissible to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), including cases involving criminality and organized crime.
CBSA says its enforcement priorities include criminality, organized crime and individuals who pose risks to public safety.
So if you’re legally working in Canada, studying, holding permanent residence or preparing an immigration application, this announcement does not create a new general rule requiring your removal.
The issue is admissibility.
What Does Criminal Inadmissibility Mean for Canada Immigration?
This is where things can become complicated.
A criminal record or conviction can potentially affect someone’s ability to enter or remain in Canada, depending on the circumstances and the applicable provisions of Canadian immigration law.
That’s why criminal inadmissibility Canada is something applicants should address before submitting an immigration application when it is relevant to their circumstances.
The same issue can potentially matter across different pathways, including:
- Canadian permanent residence
- Work permits
- Study permits
- Family sponsorship
- Temporary residence
- Other Canada immigration programs
Applicants should provide accurate information about their immigration and criminal history when required. Hiding relevant information can create additional immigration problems.
188 Removal Orders Does Not Mean 188 People Were Removed
This sounds like a small technicality.
It isn’t.
CBSA reported 188 removal orders and 111 completed removals as of September 3. These are two different figures and should not be treated as interchangeable.
A removal order is part of the legal enforcement process. Actual removal can happen after applicable legal processes have been completed.
Depending on the circumstances, people subject to removal orders may have access to review or appeal mechanisms.
So when you see a headline about a removal order, don’t automatically assume that the individual was immediately removed from Canada.
CBSA’s Enforcement Includes More Than the Extortion Initiative
The latest operation is only part of the agency’s wider Canada immigration enforcement activities.
CBSA reported that it removed 23,160 inadmissible persons in 2025, including cases involving serious criminality, organized crime, national security, war crimes, human rights violations and other criminality-related grounds. The agency also says it is currently removing approximately 400 inadmissible individuals every week.
The federal government has also allocated funding through Canada’s Border Plan to strengthen CBSA’s removal capacity.
For immigration applicants, the takeaway isn’t panic.
It’s preparation.
What Does This Mean for Permanent Residence Applicants?
Meeting the eligibility requirements for an immigration program is only part of the process.
Applicants must also meet applicable Canada immigration admissibility requirements.
That can become particularly important if someone has a criminal record, conviction or another circumstance that could raise concerns under IRPA.
But here’s another important point:
A previous conviction does not automatically mean permanent residence is impossible.
The outcome can depend on the nature of the offence, when it occurred, the sentence and other individual circumstances.
That’s why a general internet answer cannot determine whether a particular person is admissible.
What Should You Do If You Have a Criminal Record?
Don’t wait until you’re halfway through your immigration application to think about it.
If you have a criminal record and are planning Canadian permanent residence, a work permit, study permit or another immigration application, consider assessing potential admissibility issues early.
You may need to review:
- The offence
- Date of the offence
- Conviction details
- Sentence
- Completion of the sentence
- Immigration history
- Current immigration status
- The specific immigration pathway you are pursuing
The exact assessment depends on the individual’s circumstances.
What If You Receive a CBSA Removal Order?
This is not something to put at the bottom of your inbox.
If you receive a CBSA removal order, review it promptly and determine what legal options, reviews or appeals may apply to your circumstances.
Deadlines can matter.
Immigration enforcement can also involve an interaction between immigration legislation, criminal law and procedural rights. That is why case-specific professional advice may be appropriate when someone is facing enforcement action.
Does This Change Canada’s Immigration Programs?
The September 2026 CBSA announcement is primarily an enforcement update.
It does not announce a general change to Canada’s permanent residence or temporary residence programs.
However, it highlights something applicants sometimes overlook:
Being eligible for an immigration program and being admissible to Canada are not necessarily the same thing.
Whether you’re pursuing Express Entry Canada, a Provincial Nominee Program, family sponsorship or a temporary residence pathway, you need to consider the requirements that apply to your individual case.
Don’t Hide Information on Your Immigration Application
Trying to make an application look cleaner by leaving out relevant information can create bigger problems.
When an application asks about criminal history, immigration history or other relevant circumstances, provide the information required by the applicable forms and instructions.
Accuracy matters.
If you’re unsure what needs to be disclosed, get the issue clarified before submitting the application rather than trying to fix it after a problem arises.
What Should Canada Immigration Applicants Take From This Update?
The latest CBSA enforcement Canada update is not a warning to every immigrant or foreign worker.
It is a reminder that Canadian immigration has both an eligibility side and an enforcement side.
If you’re preparing a Canada immigration application, focus on three things:
Know your status. Know your admissibility. Know your obligations.
If there is a potential criminal or immigration issue in your history, address it early.
If your status is valid, continue following the conditions attached to it.
And if you receive an immigration enforcement document, don’t ignore it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people did CBSA remove in the latest enforcement initiative?
CBSA reported 111 individuals removed and 188 removal orders connected to the extortion-related enforcement effort as of September 3, 2026.
Does having a criminal record automatically mean removal from Canada?
No. Immigration consequences depend on factors such as the offence, applicable inadmissibility provisions, immigration status and the person’s individual legal circumstances.
Can criminal inadmissibility affect permanent residence?
Yes, certain criminality can affect admissibility to Canada. However, the impact depends on the specific circumstances and should be assessed individually.
Are removal orders the same as actual removal?
No. A removal order and a completed removal are different stages of the enforcement process. CBSA reported 188 removal orders and 111 completed removals in this initiative as of September 3, 2026.
What should I do if I receive a removal order?
Review it promptly and determine what review, appeal or other legal processes may be available in your circumstances. Because enforcement cases can be complex, professional legal or immigration advice may be appropriate.
Planning Your Immigration Journey With Visa Nexa?
Canadian immigration is not just about finding a program you qualify for.
Your admissibility, immigration history and compliance with Canadian laws can also matter.
At Visa Nexa, we help applicants understand Canadian immigration pathways and prepare applications based on the requirements relevant to their circumstances.
If you have questions about criminal inadmissibility, permanent residence, work permits or other Canadian immigration options, getting the right information early can help you avoid unnecessary complications later.
Don’t let an unanswered immigration issue become a bigger problem. Understand your options before you apply.
