Crossing at Roxham Road
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Read this page first! Before you travel
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VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE!!
IF YOU INTEND TO CROSS AT CROSS AT ROXHAM ROAD:
Canada NO LONGER allows people entering at Roxham Road to seek asylum in Canada. If you cross you will be returned to the United States. BUT: If you qualify for an exception to the Safe Third Country Agreement and can prove it, you can enter Canada. In this case, it is better to go to an official port of entry like Lacolle. Go to this PAGE to find out if you qualify for an exception:
IF YOU INTEND TO CROSS AT CROSS AT ROXHAM ROAD:
Canada NO LONGER allows people entering at Roxham Road to seek asylum in Canada. If you cross you will be returned to the United States. BUT: If you qualify for an exception to the Safe Third Country Agreement and can prove it, you can enter Canada. In this case, it is better to go to an official port of entry like Lacolle. Go to this PAGE to find out if you qualify for an exception:
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: [email protected].
- 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)
Getting to the border
You can reach Plattsburgh in New York State by plane, bus, Uber or private car. From Plattsburgh, you take a taxi to the border.
Taxis in Plattsburgh should charge you a maximum of $90 for the trip to take you from the Plattsburgh bus station or airport to the border.
You can reach Plattsburgh in New York State by plane, bus, Uber or private car. From Plattsburgh, you take a taxi to the border.
Taxis in Plattsburgh should charge you a maximum of $90 for the trip to take you from the Plattsburgh bus station or airport to the border.
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. 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. 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. |
When you cross:
- You must bring ALL your bags with you when you cross. You cannot go back to pick up more bags.
- If you bring any unsealed food into Canada (except for baby food) you will have to throw it out.
- Do not attempt to hide anything, such as money. The police will search you.
** IMPORTANT: If you go to the official Port of Entry at Lacolle, it is very likely that you will not be allowed to enter Canada because of the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA). If you are refused entry (excluded) 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.