Border visit april 1, 2018

4/3/2018

Border visit april 1, 2018

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Sunday, April 1st, 2018. 3.45 - 5pm. Roxham Road USA
A total of 21 people crossed into Canada this afternoon. First four Nigerian families crossed. This included two families composed of single mothers, one with 3 children and the other with four (one an adolescent). The two other families were couples, one with two young boys and the other with a girl and two boys. The RCMP officer who intervened with these families spoke to them kindly. He then left and was replaced by an older officer. Then a Honduran family arrived, led by a teenage boy about 16 years old and his mother (who spoke only Spanish) who was carrying a baby boy. They had only a small suitcase and a backpack for the three of them. The tone of the officer was intimidating. They were told they would be arrested and to go to the Lacolle border crossing. The teenage boy turned to ask the Bridges Not Borders volunteer what they should do. The volunteer informed him that it was their decision, but that they would indeed be arrested if they crossed. She also briefly explained why some people crossed at Roxham rather than at a regular point of entry, without trying to influence his decision. He then led his family back before the officer who once again told him he would be arrested and added "you will go to jail". With an uncertain nod to his mother who followed him, they crossed into Canada.

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The border visit reports are written by the volunteers who were at the border on that day. There are about 15 active volunteers in our border visit committee.
Les rapports de nos visites à la frontière sont rédigés par les bénévoles qui étaient à la frontière ce jour-là. Il y a environ 15 bénévoles actifs dans notre comité de visites à la frontière. Nous sommes désolés de ne pas avoir les ressources pour traduire ces rapports en français.

Sheila Laursen

4/3/2018 10:09:22 pm

I was listening to CBC Radio this morning and heard Frances being interviewed about the wonderful support group you have set up called Bridges Not Borders. Having worked with Frances many years ago, at the YMCA in Montreal, I was not at all surprised - but rather delighted to know you are still involved in doing good work.
I head up a group of West Islanders who have sponsored a Syrian family (now arrived) and also helping as much as we can to support asylum seekers (most of whom crossed at Roxham Road and then housed briefly at the Y Residence. For those who find an apartment in the WI we try to help then have adequate furniture, household goods, clothing and support.

Frances Ravensbergen

4/4/2018 02:44:55 pm

Hi Sheila!

Lets connect. We would love to host people who crossed at Roxham and show them some hospitality in 'the real' Hemmingford.

4/5/2018 08:42:35 am

Hi Frances
That sounds like an interesting idea....maybe once we finally are free of the frigid weather and snow...

Send an email to me directly, and I will email you my phone number. I would love to explore this idea with you.

We have been helping a few of the Nigerian families now living in the West Island (with furniture, clothing, etc) - and 2 of those families are expecting a new baby this month, so I don't think an excursion away would work for a while. Happily, our CLSC Birthing Centre midwives are helping both women, although they don't usually work with "last minute" cases

Border visit april 1, 2018

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