announced Friday by U.S. President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
The Mounties warn that they'll be arrested if they take one more step. Then they do — and without being handcuffed,while their asylum cases are pending, which can take years. Nearly all happen between the biggest population centers in both countries, from Quebec into upstate New York and Vermont. These migrants have taken advantage of a quirk in a 2002 agreement between the U.S. and Canada that says asylum seekers must apply in the first country they arrive in. Migrants who go to an official Canadian crossing are returned to the U.S. and told to apply there. But those who reach Canadian soil somewhere other than a port of entry are allowed to stay and request protection.U.S.
In a statement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the migrants dropped off in St. Johnsbury had been apprehended along the border after entering the U.S. without authorization, and were given a notice to appear for later immigration proceedings. But local officials said they weren't given time to prepare. State officials are now working to set up a system to provide migrants services they might require.