Crossing at Roxham Road
Here is information about crossing at Roxham Road USA in order to claim asylum in Canada.
We can’t advise you about what to do, but we want to offer information to help you decide.
We can’t advise you about what to do, but we want to offer information to help you decide.
HELP IN THE USA (in New York State)
- Plattsburgh Cares gives information and support to people wanting to leave the US to seek asylum in Canada. Contact them at: support@plattsburghcares.org.
- For short term emergency shelter (24-48 hours) in Plattsburgh: contact Diane Noiseux of the Office for New Americans in Plattsburgh on 518-420-7210 .
- Free legal advice: NYS Office of New Americans Immigration Hotline: 1-800-566-7636 (many languages)
Volunteers at Roxham Road: Bridges Not Borders and Plattsburgh Cares
Bridges Not Borders volunteers go to Roxham Road in New York State on Sunday afternoons to welcome people who come to Canada to claim asylum. In winter we give out free hats, scarves, mittens and gloves. Plattsburgh Cares volunteers go to Roxham Road most days from Monday to Saturday.
Bridges Not Borders volunteers go to Roxham Road in New York State on Sunday afternoons to welcome people who come to Canada to claim asylum. In winter we give out free hats, scarves, mittens and gloves. Plattsburgh Cares volunteers go to Roxham Road most days from Monday to Saturday.
Getting to the border at Roxham Road
You can reach Plattsburgh in New York State by plane, bus, Uber or private car. There are still no trains to Plattsburgh as of September 2022. From Plattsburgh, you take a taxi to Roxham Road. It is NOT advisable to travel by private car to Roxham Road because the vehicle may be flagged to US border patrol.
Taxis in Plattsburgh should charge you a maximum of $90 for the trip to take you from the Plattsburgh bus station or airport to Roxham Road.
You can reach Plattsburgh in New York State by plane, bus, Uber or private car. There are still no trains to Plattsburgh as of September 2022. From Plattsburgh, you take a taxi to Roxham Road. It is NOT advisable to travel by private car to Roxham Road because the vehicle may be flagged to US border patrol.
Taxis in Plattsburgh should charge you a maximum of $90 for the trip to take you from the Plattsburgh bus station or airport to Roxham Road.
At Roxham Road
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When you arrive at the place where people cross, wait on the US side with your bags, until the Canadian police officer speaks to you and asks if you understand.
Police officers should say these three things to asylum seekers: 1. It is illegal to cross here. 2. If you want to cross legally into Canada you can go to the official Port of Entry at St Bernard de Lacolle (**Important - See below) 3. If you cross here you will be arrested. Note: Officers should not add personal remarks or questions. After having listened to the officer, you can cross. Although you will be arrested when you cross into Canada, this is temporary. Because you are seeking asylum, you will not be charged with illegal entry. |
** IMPORTANT: If you go to the official Port of Entry at Lacolle, it is very likely that you will not be able to enter Canada because of the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA). If you are refused entry you can never apply for asylum in Canada, and you may be transferred to the custody of US border officials who may detain you. See information about the STCA HERE.
Is it really illegal to cross at Roxham Road?
Despite what the police say, according to the UN Refugee Agency and Canadian legal experts, it is not illegal to cross into Canada this way. See more details here: http://www.bridgesnotborders.ca/myths-and-facts-2.html
Despite what the police say, according to the UN Refugee Agency and Canadian legal experts, it is not illegal to cross into Canada this way. See more details here: http://www.bridgesnotborders.ca/myths-and-facts-2.html
After Entry into Canada
After the first process with the police at Roxham Road, you will be taken to immigration offices at St Bernard de Lacolle. There you will go through security screening by the police. Then you will be interviewed by an agent of the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA). The CBSA agent does not decide on your refugee claim. You can go to the Canadian government website for information on the process of making a refugee claim.
After the first process with the police at Roxham Road, you will be taken to immigration offices at St Bernard de Lacolle. There you will go through security screening by the police. Then you will be interviewed by an agent of the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA). The CBSA agent does not decide on your refugee claim. You can go to the Canadian government website for information on the process of making a refugee claim.
- If you intend to travel to another province in Canada, you should tell the CBSA officer.
Help in Montreal
In Montreal there are temporary shelter services for asylum seekers. A Quebec government agency called PRAIDA provides services to asylum seekers. They will help you to access healthcare, legal aid, welfare benefits, schools for your children and to look for housing and to get a work permit etc.
In Montreal there are temporary shelter services for asylum seekers. A Quebec government agency called PRAIDA provides services to asylum seekers. They will help you to access healthcare, legal aid, welfare benefits, schools for your children and to look for housing and to get a work permit etc.
- Currently there are delays. If you have not met with a PRAIDA social worker at a temporary shelter you can call 514-484-7878 extension 64500, for an appointment.
Updates September 2022
- There are significant delays in eligibility interviews. These interviews decide if you can proceed to make a refugee claim in Canada or not.
- The average waiting time to appear before the Refugee Protection Division (which makes the decision on your refugee claim) is approximately 24 months.
If you decide to come here to seek asylum, we hope you will be able to make
a good and safe life for yourself and your loved ones in Canada.
a good and safe life for yourself and your loved ones in Canada.
