Crossing at Roxham Road
Some individuals enter Canada irregularly between designated ports of entry. 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 3 things to you:
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
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. For more information visit – bridgesnotborders.ca
What happens after you cross?
- People who are intercepted by the RCMP or local law enforcement after crossing the border irregularly are brought to the nearest CBSA port of entry or inland CBSA or IRCC office (whichever is closest), where an officer will conduct an immigration examination, including considering whether detention is warranted. At this point, individuals undergo health checks to address any immediate health needs, as well as security screenings to ensure that they do not pose a security threat to Canada and to determine whether they are eligible to make a refugee claim.
Re-location of Roxham Road Crossers to Ontario 
- With record numbers of claimants currently crossing via the makeshift border point, called Roxham Road, the federal government said it’s working to alleviate some of the pressure on Quebec to provide temporary resources and accommodation for people.
- IRCC is working with the City of Ottawa and the Municipality of Niagara Falls to help refugee claimants find alternative housing and access the community supports available to them
- Niagara Falls Refugees are currently being housed at the Ramada Plaza – ramadaplazaniagara.com/
Irregular border crosser statistics
- Canada has been experiencing an influx of individuals crossing the Canada-United States border between ports of entry (“irregular border crossings”).
- Visit – https://irb.gc.ca/en/statistics/Pages/Irregular-border-crosser-statistics.aspx#1 for update to statistics on how many people are crossing
Current Financial Support Levels for Asylum Seekers
- For those being housed and fed in government facilities / hotels – approximately $350/month per adult
- For those leaving government facilities / hotels – approximately $700/month per adult
Applying for a Work Permit
You may be eligible for an open work permit if you filed a claim for refugee protection in Canada and you meet 4 conditions:
- your claim has been found eligible and you’re waiting for the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada to decide on your claim
- you cannot pay for your basic needs without working
- you have valid immigration medical exam results
- we won’t issue your work permit until you pass your immigration medical exam
- you meet the general eligibility requirements for a work permit
Normally, you’ll apply for your open work permit when you make your claim for refugee protection. If you didn’t apply for a work permit when you made your claim, you can apply later.
Download and complete the application form [PDF].
Apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- You apply for a SIN number after you receive your open work permit
- There is no cost