'Secure the US border!' Canada struggles to cope with refugee surge - from Trump's America

CANADA has struggling to keep on top of a growing refugee burden - but rather than the Middle East, many are fleeing from Donald Trump.

By Oli Smith, News Reporter

Canada receives SURGE of refugees from the US

Growing numbers of refugees are fleeing across the US border to Canada after growing fears over Donald Trump's immigration policies.

Many of them, who have fled wars in the Middle East and Africa, are risking frostbite and freezing conditions to reach America's northern neighbour.

While the US President Donald Trump has made a tough stance on immigration, Canadian Prime Minster Justin Trudeau has accepted nearly 40,000 refugees.

However, towns on the near the border now say they cannot cope with the numbers fleeing the 'land of the free'.

Manitoba MP Ted FalBBC

Manitoba MP Ted Falk said on Thursday that more needs to be done to secure the border

Refugee memorial sparks OUTRAGE in Dresden, Germany

One small town in rural southern Manitoba have now refused to take in any more refugees, after 22 migrants jumped the border last weekend alone.

Emerson, a town of 700 people, has been struggling with growing numbers of asylum seekers and this week revealed they cannot handle the influx on its own resources.

Town official Greg Janzen has demanded national help as experts believe the toll could rise, coming mostly from nationals of Somalia, Ghana, Djibouti, and Ethiopia.

While 68 migrants illegally crossed the border in 2013, last year saw a jump to 430 - a figure which is already set to be broken within the next few weeks.

Many local agencies are taking a record 10 immigration applications a day.

Rita Chahal, executive director with the Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council, said "people are coming, people are saying they are scared" when asked about the impact under President Donald Trump.

Samatar Adam, 30, from Djibouti, who arrived last month, simply said "Donald Trump" when asked why he did not file for asylum in America.

Earlier this month, in response to Mr Trump's controversial executive order on migration, Prime Minister Trudeau said: "To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength."

Donald TrumpFOX

Donald Trump's aggressive policies against refugees has sparked the crisis

Refugees in CanadaGETTY

Refugees are braving the cold - and risking frostbite - to get across the border

People are coming, people are saying they are scared

Rita Chahal, executive director with the Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council

However, the backlash against the generous welcome is already showing signs.

Manitoba MP Ted Falk said on Thursday that more needs to be done to secure the border.

He said: "Once they're on our soil they are our responsibility.

"I know the folks in my riding, someone shows up at their door cold and hungry they're going to to get looked after.

"But we certainly don't want there to be a negative incident that occurs as a result of that."

Mr Falk has asked for the government to step in to enforce the border's integrity.

Many locals described the situation as "off the scales".

Immigration lawyers have revealed that proving that a refugee was fleeing persecution in the US will be difficult. 

However, others have said that America should be disqualified as a "safe country for refugees". 

Canada refugee crisisCBC

Towns on the southern border now say they cannot cope with the number fleeing the 'land of the free'

ManitobaGETTY

Immigration lawyers said it is difficult to prove 'persecution' in America

Many of those making the crossing are discovered suffering from frostbite after enduring the temperatures of a Canadian winter.

Among those picked up recently include a pregnant woman as well as another woman who was desperately trying to warm up her children. 

Dr. Paul Caulford, who runs a local medical centre, said many truckers who take the refugees simply "open the door once passed the border and say 'get out' in sub-zero temperatures".

In December, two men from Ghana walked to Manitoba from the United States but lost all their fingers to frostbite and nearly froze to death. 

Mr Bashir Khan, an immigration lawyer in Winnipeg, Manitoba, compared the movement to the underground railroad - the networks slaves used in the 19th century to escape.

He said: "Nobody ever comes to Manitoba in the dead of winter. It shows how desperate they are."

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