Author: Fakhr Ahmad
Publication: Dawn
Date: January 9, 2003
URL: http://www.dawn.com/2003/01/09/top13.htm
Hundreds of undocumented Pakistanis
and Arabs, many of whom have lived in the United States for years, have
crowded Canadian border crossings in recent days to seek asylum as America
cracks down on illegal immigrants as part of its war against terrorism.
The surge at crossings in Quebec,
Ontario and, to a lesser extent, British Columbia, appears to reflect mounting
fear among foreigners without legal status in the United States, particularly
those of Middle Eastern, South Asian, and North African origin, that they
now face a greater risk of being deported from the United States.
The startling exodus also appears
to reflect widening alarm among the immigrants about a new US- Canada anti-terrorist
accord that will require Canada to raise stronger barriers to refugee claimants
arriving from the United States.
Under the "smart border" agreement
reached between Ottawa and Washington last month, refugee claimants who
arrive at Canadian entry points from the United States will, in most cases,
automatically be turned back and forced to take their chances under the
stricter US system. No firm date has been set for implementing the agreement,
but it could take effect as early as spring.
In 2001, Canada received 44,713
people claiming to be refugees, including 13,493 "third country" nationals
who entered by way of the United States, according to Canada's Ministry
of Citizenship and Immigration.
Jean Cheney, a spokesperson for
the immigration ministry, said nearly 250 people - mainly of Pakistani
origin - have sought entry as refugees at the border crossing near Lacolle,
Que., on the main route between New York City and Montreal, in the past
week.
