Customs officials using trailer to handle crush of asylum seekers at Emerson
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 27/02/2017 (3205 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
So many migrants are crossing the border on foot at Emerson that a construction-type trailer is now being used as a holding area.
RCMP say more than three dozen asylum seekers crossed into Manitoba from the United States since last Wednesday.
Lisa White, a spokeswoman for the Canada Border Services Agency, said Monday that a bus had been parked at the crossing for few days, but the trailer offers more space.
“It is for overflow,” White said. “It is simply a waiting area… an extension of our office.
White said migrants coming across the border will wait inside the trailer, which is heated and has seating, until being called into the border station, where they will be processed.
More than 140 mostly African migrants have trudged through the snow in often-bitter temperatures to get to Emerson since the beginning of the year, fearing deportations under U.S. President Donald Trump’s threatened crackdown while waiting for U.S. officials to deal with immigration applications, or having already been rejected.
Meanwhile, Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr said Monday that Ottawa is very concerned about the potential impact a spring flood could have on Emerson and migrants trying to get over the border.
Carr said Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale and Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Ahmed Hussen are keeping a watchful eye on the situation.
“They’re in constant touch with both the RCMP and the Canadian Border Services Agency,” he said. “My interest is to make sure I understand the reality on the ground. I have spoken to the reeve and will continue to stay in touch with him. He was expressing concern about rescue operations in the case of a flood.”
Carr said he didn’t know whether Ottawa expects asylum seekers to head for another port of entry in southern Manitoba if Emerson is affected by flooding.
kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca
Whether it is covering city hall, the law courts, or general reporting, Kevin can be counted on to not only answer the 5 Ws — Who, What, When, Where and Why — but to do it in an interesting and accessible way for readers.
Nick Martin
Former Free Press reporter Nick Martin, who wrote the monthly suspense column in the books section and was prolific in his standalone reviews of mystery/thriller novels, died Oct. 15 at age 77 while on holiday in Edinburgh, Scotland.
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Whether it is covering city hall, the law courts, or general reporting, Kevin can be counted on to not only answer the 5 Ws — Who, What, When, Where and Why — but to do it in an interesting and accessible way for readers.
Nick Martin
Former Free Press reporter Nick Martin, who wrote the monthly suspense column in the books section and was prolific in his standalone reviews of mystery/thriller novels, died Oct. 15 at age 77 while on holiday in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
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Updated on Monday, February 27, 2017 2:43 PM CST: Writethrough