Officials to correct flyers giving tips on illegal border crossing

• Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen says officials will attempt to correct misinformation being circulated in New York state offering instructions to asylum seekers on how to illegally cross the border into Canada as political pressure mounts for government to do more to address the influx of irregular migrants from the United States. Pamphlets produced by a group called Plattsburgh Cares are being circulated in Plattsburgh, N.Y., giving would-be asylum seekers instructions on where to cross the border, how to contact immigration lawyers and what to tell border security officials during interviews. The pamphlets even include details about how much migrants should expect to pay in taxi fare to the unofficial border crossing at Roxham Road in Quebec. “Part of this humanitarian mission includes providing basic, non-legal information so people will know how to obtain the legal and other supports they need to make optimal choices for themselves and their families,” a group spokesperson said in a written statement.

The organization’s website says its efforts were spurred by racist messages on social media and flyers in the community that had left some feeling threatened. Hussen said Thursday his department has reached out to the group and that the Canadian consul-general in New York will address what he says is misinformation in the pamphlets.

“The contents of the flyer are incomplete, they don’t really paint an accurate picture of our asylum system and it’s unfortunate, because people will rely on this,” Hussen said.

The influx of refugee claimants has been an ongoing pressure point, notably in Quebec. The RCMP intercepted 7,612 refugee claimants between January and April of this year at non-official ports of entry and officials are bracing for an even bigger spike over the warm summer months.