By Canadian Press

border security

Asylum seekers to be turned back at U.S. border, prime minister says

Mar 20, 2020 | 9:44 AM

OTTAWA — Asylum seekers crossing into Canada on foot from the U.S. will be turned back as part of the border shutdown between the two countries.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the announcement hours before the closure to all but essential travel is to go into effect.

The Liberal government had previously been planning to place the border crossers into mandatory self-isolation.

That plan had come after calls from the Quebec government for the federal government to ensure those crossing irregularly into Canada would follow the same isolation protocols as other international travellers.

Trudeau says the move to instead turn them away is an exceptional measure to protect Canadian citizens and it is temporary.

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Thousands of people have been crossing into Canada from the U.S. for at least three years using unofficial entry points to get around a deal that forbids people from lodging asylum claims at land border crossings.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 20,2020.

The Canadian Press