US-Canada agree to turn back asylum seekers at border
A new US-Canada border deal meant to halt the flow of asylum seekers at unofficial border crossings has taken effect.
Migrants caught crossing anywhere along the 3,145 mile (5,060km) border can now be sent back.
Large numbers of unsanctioned crossings have been recorded via Roxham Road at the US-Canada border.
The new accord closes a loophole that allowed migrants to claim asylum at such unofficial ports of entry.
The announcement came as President Joe Biden visited Ottawa, Canada, to discuss a series of economic, trade and immigration issues with his Canadian counterpart, Justin Trudeau.
The deal is part of efforts to limit an influx of migrants at Roxham Road, an unofficial crossing between New York state and the province of Quebec.
A record number of migrants – some 40,000 – crossed into Canada last year, the vast majority of which entered at Roxham Road.
As part of the pact, Canada will also create a new refugee programme for 15,000 migrants fleeing persecution and violence in South and Central America, the prime minister’s office (PMO) said.
By BBC
