Haitian immigrants seeking to leave the United States for Canada claim to have been turned away by Canadian authorities, having failed to meet the criteria set by the Canadian government.
In Plattsburgh, a small town in the state of New York, three Haitian migrants desperate to leave the United States because of difficulties in finding work were turned away by Canadian authorities, according to TVA Nouvelles.
After years in the U.S. without the possibility of obtaining a work permit, they attempted to cross the Canadian border in the hope of finding better opportunities. Their journey, marked by precariousness and disillusionment, reflects the complex realities of modern migration.
These migrants, all with refugee status in the United States, had fled Haiti to escape violence and political persecution. One of them, who chose to remain anonymous for security reasons, explains: “I arrived in the United States in 2021 and I can’t get a work permit,” according to TVA Nouvelles.
With his wife and children still in Haiti, this man was hoping that Canada would be an alternative.
Katia and Claude, his fellow travelers, share similar stories. Claude, who has family in Canada, tells TVA Nouvelles: “We left the country to escape the violence. Over there, the reality is different. It’s very difficult.”
To reach the border, the trio had to pay a hefty sum for a cab to take them to the customs post. “It was expensive,” lamented one of them, noting that they had already been impoverished by an individual claiming to be an ‘immigration consultant’.
Once they reached the border, their hopes were quickly extinguished.
Although well treated and fed by Canadian officials, they were refused entry to Canada after their files were examined. “They couldn’t let us in,” Claude confides sadly.
Since the re-election of Donald Trump to the American presidency, many immigrants of all origins have expressed the desire to seek refuge in Canada.
Anticipating the migratory flow, Canadian authorities are adopting new measures. They are working with organizations to avoid chaos at the U.S.-Canada border.
Among the organizations working with Canadian border authorities are Vive Legal and Bridges Not Borders, among others. They distinguish themselves by offering free legal advice and human support to migrants wishing to cross the border or regularize their situation.
These organizations play an essential role, not only in informing migrants of their rights, but also in guiding them through the complexities of the migration process. Their mission is to reduce the risk of exploitation and provide solutions tailored to individual needs.
Immigrants who choose to complete the process with the help of an organization experience fewer difficulties, according to an observation by CTN’s editorial team, which is in contact with several organizations to better inform its readers.
The situation of immigrants in the United States is emblematic of the challenges faced by many migrants. In the United States, programs such as TPS (Temporary Protected Status), Humanitarian Parole and CBPOne offer temporary respite to thousands of Haitian immigrants. However, these schemes are now under threat under the Trump administration, prompting many refugees to consider other options, such as Canada.
For these three Haitian migrants, their failed attempt to cross into Canada leaves them in a situation of great uncertainty. Without knowing where to sleep or what to do, they now have to think about their next steps.
Their story highlights the issues involved in migration: individuals forced to flee unbearable conditions in their home countries, only to come up against increasingly restrictive migration policies in host countries.
Click here to read the full TVA Nouvelles article.
