More migrants seek asylum through reopened Canadian border

More migrants seek asylum through reopened Canadian border Photo: Kyle Aune/WDIO-TV, file

WILSON RING and ELLIOT SPAGAT, Associated Press
Updated: January 24, 2022 11:10 AM
Created: January 24, 2022 11:04 AM

CHAMPLAIN, N.Y. (AP) — Migrants are once again seeking asylum in Canada after the country lifted a 20-month ban. Many of the refugees take taxis and vans to a dead-end road in upstate New York to cross the border.

When COVID-19 hit in March 2020, the U.S. and Canada refused entry to migrants seeking asylum.

Since November, fully vaccinated travelers have been able to enter both countries, but Canada went a step farther by reinstating a path to asylum.

Canada's decision stands in marked contrast to the approach in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has extended indefinitely a similar restriction on the border with Mexico.