info pages for refugees

Welcome Dear Visitor
Bridges Not Borders is a small group of Canadian volunteers who live in the area near Roxham Road in southern Quebec. Since 2017, we have been providing information on the border situation and the rules for asylum seekers who want to enter Canada. We are not lawyers, and we cannot advise you what to do. But we provide information to help you decide.

We have three main information pages for asylum seekers (also in French and Spanish). Here is an outline of what you will find:

PAGE 1:   Before You Travel: Everybody should read this page!

• Overview of seeking asylum at the Canadian border:  at an official Port of Entry or crossing irregularly (in secret);  the 14 day rule
  
• Beware of smuggling operations  and people charging a lot of money to take you to Canada
• Vaccination and testing
• Keeping warm in spring, autumn and winter
• Keep  your identity documents with you!
• Be prepared to explain your asylum case
• If you have already applied for asylum in the US
• Help in New York State
• Sources of information and services for refugee claimants in Canada

PAGE 2:  Seeking Asylum at the Canadian Land Border

• Overview of seeking asylum at the Canadian land border: at an official Port of Entry or crossing irregularly (in secret);  the 14 day rule
  
• Where the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) applies
• The four exceptions to the STCA: for example, if you have the appropriate family member in Canada with the right status.
• Important details about the four exceptions
• How to prove your relationship with an anchor family member
• How to prove your relationship with a common-law spouse in Canada
• Where to get help to prepare for the STCA interview.
• If you have been excluded from Canada under STCA rules
• Applying for asylum in the USA
• News about the STCA in Canada

PAGE 3:  Roxham Road Update

• The Roxham Road police installation has been demolished
• New rules for asylum seekers crossing irregularly (in secret) into Canada
  
• The 14 day rule