The RCMP says it arrests people every day who are crossing the Canadian border illegally from the U.S.
Wednesday, a woman and baby trampled through deep snow, intentionally getting arrested at an uncontrolled Quebec – New York border crossing.
“Illegal entry is illegal entry and will remain illegal entry,” said premier Philippe Couillard.
The RCMP is in contact with the province, but so far Quebec police have not gotten involved.
READ MORE: More refugees arrested after illegally crossing into Quebec
The premier said he is not worried.
“I don’t expect this to be a longterm phenomenon. It’s associated with the current instability or unpredictability of certain policies south of us,” he said.
According to the Canada Border Services Agency, in January, roughly 450 people made a refugee claim after coming to Canada by land.
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READ MORE: No reports of refugees crossing into province outside of official border points: Sask. RCMP
The official opposition thinks the country should accept them with open arms.
“There are people who wanted to have asylum in the United States that are prevented from doing so,” said Parti Québécois (PQ) leader Jean-François Lisée.
“We have a process. We should extend a hand. I see no problem with that.”
But not everyone shares Lisée’s view of an open border.
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“I think we need to be careful,” said Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) leader François Legault.
“I think we need to make sure that we have full security and that the people coming here are people that we want to have.”
Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale plans to discuss border issues with U.S. Homeland Secretary.
READ MORE: Syrian family seeking asylum illegally enters Quebec through US-Canada border
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wouldn’t say whether the issue came up when he met with President Donald Trump for the first time on Monday.
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