Roxham Road: important UPDATE
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Read this page! Before you travel
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Roxham Road is closed and the police installation has been demolished (see photo below).
Due to changes to the Safe Third Country Agreement, Roxham Road is no longer a place where people can freely enter Canada in order to claim asylum. Conditions now apply to those entering Canada irregularly (in secret/ not at a Port of Entry).
Below is general information on seeking asylum (making a refugee claim) at the Canadian land border
(important details are found Here and Here):
1. You can make a refugee claim (apply for asylum) at the Canadian border only if you qualify for an exception to the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA). This applies to people who: 1. go to an official port of entry or 2. cross the border in secret (not at an official Port of Entry), but are arrested by police after crossing and before 14 days have passed. If you do not qualify for an exception, you will be returned to the US. Go HERE to find out if you qualify for an exception.
2. The 14 Day Rule. If you cross in secret and are not detected for 14 days, you can make a refugee claim and you will not be assessed under STCA rules. After 14 days you can present yourself to the authorities or submit a refugee claim on the IRCC portal. You will need to show you have been in Canada for 14 days. It is strongly recommended that you have a refugee lawyer for this process. See sources of help on this PAGE. Be very aware of the dangers of crossing secretly into Canada, especially during the cold months (winter, autumn and spring) and of paying a smuggler to take you across.
3. Everyone seeking asylum in Canada must be eligible to apply. Some people are not eligible because, for example, they have committed serious crimes or have already been refused asylum in Canada. See ‘Next Steps’ at the bottom of this PAGE to find out more information.
Due to changes to the Safe Third Country Agreement, Roxham Road is no longer a place where people can freely enter Canada in order to claim asylum. Conditions now apply to those entering Canada irregularly (in secret/ not at a Port of Entry).
Below is general information on seeking asylum (making a refugee claim) at the Canadian land border
(important details are found Here and Here):
1. You can make a refugee claim (apply for asylum) at the Canadian border only if you qualify for an exception to the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA). This applies to people who: 1. go to an official port of entry or 2. cross the border in secret (not at an official Port of Entry), but are arrested by police after crossing and before 14 days have passed. If you do not qualify for an exception, you will be returned to the US. Go HERE to find out if you qualify for an exception.
2. The 14 Day Rule. If you cross in secret and are not detected for 14 days, you can make a refugee claim and you will not be assessed under STCA rules. After 14 days you can present yourself to the authorities or submit a refugee claim on the IRCC portal. You will need to show you have been in Canada for 14 days. It is strongly recommended that you have a refugee lawyer for this process. See sources of help on this PAGE. Be very aware of the dangers of crossing secretly into Canada, especially during the cold months (winter, autumn and spring) and of paying a smuggler to take you across.
3. Everyone seeking asylum in Canada must be eligible to apply. Some people are not eligible because, for example, they have committed serious crimes or have already been refused asylum in Canada. See ‘Next Steps’ at the bottom of this PAGE to find out more information.
HELP IN THE USA (in New York State)
Free legal advice: NYS Office of New Americans Immigration Hotline: 1-800-566-7636 (many languages)
Free legal advice: NYS Office of New Americans Immigration Hotline: 1-800-566-7636 (many languages)
ROXHAM ROAD, CANADA AFTER THE DEMOLITION OF THE POLICE INSTALLATION.