Unexpected result of US illegal immigrants crack down

[Kathryn41 3,205]

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/20...an-windsor.html

Windsor mayor seeks PM's help on Mexican refugee influx

Last Updated: Thursday, September 20, 2007 | 5:51 PM ET

CBC News

The mayor of Windsor, Ont. has called on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to help his city deal with an influx of Mexican refugee claimants.

Over the past three weeks, about 200 Mexican citizens have crossed the Windsor-Detroit border and claimed refugee status in Canada.

Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis blamed the high number of arrivals on the U.S. crackdown on illegal immigrants and a Florida-based immigration consultant company that recently began advertising about the ease of settling in Canada.

For a $400 US fee, the company promised to deliver Mexicans illegally living in the U.S. to Canadian border crossings where they could apply for refugee status, Francis said.

Due to municipal and provincial laws, Windsor is responsible for paying 20 per cent of the $200,000 cost of housing the applicants in hotels, he said.

"Quite frankly, my city and the city tax base does not have the ability, the capacity or the resources to meet such demand," Francis said.

Continue Article

He said he's expecting more illegal immigrants because a Spanish-language television station in Florida and U.S.-based websites are also advertising easy access to Canada.

"Through the network, the word has spread like wildfire that you can come across the border, you can file for refugee status and you'll be provided social services as well as accommodation," he said.

So far, 32 of the Mexicans have been approved to receive social assistance at a total cost of $33,000, Francis said.

He said he's written to the prime minister in hopes Ottawa will speed up the refugee claim process, which currently has an average wait time of more than 14 months.

"Right now what we're doing is monitoring the numbers day by day, seeing how many people are actually crossing and if it continues the way it is, then obviously something needs to happen," he said.

"This is an immigration matter. Immigration matters belong federally, they don't belong municipally."

Francis has not yet received a reply from Harper.

Up until now, less than 13 per cent of Mexican refugee applicants have been granted status in Canada, he said.

[Cassie 8]

interesting.....

[Ban Hammer 14,189]

hi canada. welcome to our world.

[Jasman0717 9]

That's a long trip from the Rio to the Canadian boarder

[MissStacey 1]

It's ok- once winter hits, they will all be running back south.

[smoke20 0]

can't wait to see how understanding & sympathetic canadians are in a couple years.

[peejay 327]

can't wait to see how understanding & sympathetic canadians are in a couple years.

You took the words right out of my mouth. The pity party will get real old in no time as the freeloaders find a new place to land.

[trailmix 77]

can't wait to see how understanding & sympathetic canadians are in a couple years.

Understanding? I don't think Canadians support illegal immigration, where did you hear that?

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

hi canada. welcome to our world.

And thanks for being part of the solution.

[trailmix 77]

can't wait to see how understanding & sympathetic canadians are in a couple years.

You took the words right out of my mouth. The pity party will get real old in no time as the freeloaders find a new place to land.

Lovely. Well I guess I missed something in another thread where some Canadians obviously supported illegal immigration?

I assure you we don't. While perhaps the people in this article are currently being given shelter while their individual cases are looked at, in turn, if their claims turn out to be false, they will be deported.

[smoke20 0]

can't wait to see how understanding & sympathetic canadians are in a couple years.

Understanding? I don't think Canadians support illegal immigration, where did you hear that?

stop on by the next illegal immigration thread & check out where most of the supporters are from.

Oh Mexico Oh Mexico...........

Edited September 21, 2007 by smoke20

[tweety 1]

Just out of curiosity - how do they proof being a refugee? I don't know anything about Canadian immigration laws, but isn't in general a refugee someone who is persecuted on political or religious grounds? I mean, over here they always straight out say they come to the US for economical reasons....

Edited September 21, 2007 by tweety

[Fandango 1,440]

hi canada. welcome to our world.

And thanks for being part of the solution.

that made me lol for realz...

[Ban Hammer 14,189]

can't wait to see how understanding & sympathetic canadians are in a couple years.

Understanding? I don't think Canadians support illegal immigration, where did you hear that?

stop on by the next illegal immigration thread & check out where most of the supporters are from.

Oh Mexico Oh Mexico...........

i wonder just how long it will take canada's medical care program to crash and burn if the illegals continue crossing into canada.

Just out of curiosity - how do they proof being a refugee? I don't know anything about Canadian immigration laws, but isn't in general a refugee someone who is persecuted on political or religious grounds? I mean, over here they always straight out say they come to the US for economical reasons....

they could say they are being persecuted politically as they are illegal

[trailmix 77]

can't wait to see how understanding & sympathetic canadians are in a couple years.

Understanding? I don't think Canadians support illegal immigration, where did you hear that?

stop on by the next illegal immigration thread & check out where most of the supporters are from.

Oh Mexico Oh Mexico...........

i wonder just how long it will take canada's medical care program to crash and burn if the illegals continue crossing into canada.

It won't come to that. While assuming that Canadians in general support illegal immigration is one thing, the insinuation that we/our government consist of a bunch of bleeding heart idiots offends me.

We are actually quite civilized and we do have laws which include immigration laws.