Door shut for asylum seekers

Heightened security in the wake of the New York and Washington terrorists attacks has left asylum seekers from the U.S. stuck in the cold at the Peace Bridge.

The Citizenship and Immigration Canada refugee processing centre in Fort Erie -- which handled about 20 claims a day before the attacks in New York And Washington -- has temporarily shut its doors to cope with a backlog, said Chris Owens, the executive director of a Buffalo shelter for refugees.

The refugees, who have been staying in the U.S., are seeking asylum in Canada. They come from countries as varied as Turkey, Jordan and Colombia.

Owens escorted 35 refugees to the border at noon Monday because his shelter is overwhelmed by the backlog, he said.

Owen's caravan of taxis and a large van was stopped and detained at the centre that closed shop at midnight. Twelve women and children were put up in the basement of a Baptist church, while the rest -- including Owens and the cabbies -- were forced to sleep outside or in their cars. Blankets were donated by the Salvation Army.

Many were still waiting to be processed late yesterday. Immigration officials said Owen's group will be processed, but all other refugees will be turned around and asked to come back at a later date.

The department refused to say last night if the "direct-back" system for refugees applies to all Canadian ports of entry.

"We're living through an extraordinary situation," said spokesman Giovanna Gatti, noting border officials are on high alert and taking longer to interview refugees.

Owens said the government is using all its resources at the bridge to handle the backlog and ignoring new refugees.

A simple policy, that ought to relieve some congestion, is the approach that Germany takes. This would go hand in glove with a requirement that all airlines using Canadian or US airports be required to see a travel document and record its nature and serial number before letting a passenger board. If you cross the border on foot or by surface transport, you are not a refugee.

This is because you are coming from a safe country.

I would extend that principle to include any refugee who comes by air or sea from a European country.

Another policy ought to be that it is an offence to destroy a travel document after using it to board a flight to Canada or the US.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.