How-to flyer in Plattsburgh gives migrants ‘irregular’ crossing steps

OTTAWA A flyer circulating in the United States assists asylum seekers crossing the border at Roxham Rd., calling it “the irregular unofficial crossing.”

The leaflet bears the logo of Plattsburgh Cares, an organization that helps refugees. It details the steps to take for asylum seekers who intend to cross into Canada irregularly.

The flyer informs migrants that they will need to take a taxi to arrive at Roxham Rd., and that the fare should not cost them more than US$77.50.

It recommends that migrants bring all their luggage with them because they will only be able to cross once. It explains that in Canada, migrants may be able to apply for refugee status under the Canadian Constitution.

It details the process, informing migrants that they will be arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police after their irregular crossing and interviewed by an immigration official.

The Conservatives called it proof that the Trudeau government’s strategy for managing the crisis is insufficient.

“They accelerated obtaining work permits, access to health care, they said they would transfer people to other parts of the country,” MP Michelle Rempel said. “They have done everything possible to give people incentives to keep coming.”

The only solution, Rempel said, is to return asylum seekers to the United States by applying the Safe Third Country Agreement.

Under that agreement, most people arriving in Canada by airports and official border crossings are turned back. They must instead apply for refugee status in the United States, the first safe country where they set foot.

The city of Plattsburgh, where the pamphlet is circulating, is about 50 kilometres from Roxham Rd. in St-Bernard-de-Lacolle, where a few thousand asylum seekers have crossed since last summer.

At the time of writing, Plattsburgh Cares had not responded to queries from Canadian Press. Presse Canadienne