Illegal Mexicans in U.S. claim refugee status in Canada
Shit with the 11+ million illegals you guys have this could get really expensive. This is one city for one week. Wait until more find out you can get maybe two years of free food(delivered by taxi), shelter and health care plus work under the table for free.
This makes a complete mockery of our refugee system. Real refugees are living by the millions in tent cities around the world. These people are nothing but economic immigrants trying to jump the line.
BTW, does this mean we can berate the American members on this board now for your lax immigration and porous borders? We always hear how Canada is soft but 11+ million illegals in your country makes you the soft underbelly of this continent I think.
Quote:
Refugee tab $229,000
Cost of housing, care for Mexicans expected to climb
Dave Battagello, Windsor Star
Published: Friday, September 21, 2007
Nearly $250,000 has been spent so far to house and care for more than 200 Mexican refugee claimants who have streamed into Windsor in recent weeks.
"The system wasn't set up for this," Ronna Warsh, general manager of social services, said Thursday as the city released figures on what it's costing taxpayers to provide lodging and social services. "We could handle one or two or a few, certainly not on a regular basis like the numbers we are seeing."
As costs of housing the refugees threaten to destroy the city's social services budget, local politicians' pleas for help are so far being ignored by the federal government.
Mayor Eddie Francis has not yet received a response to the letter he sent Wednesday to Prime Minister Stephen Harper begging for help.He fears the unknown: Some say thousands of refugee claimants will show up on Windsor's doorstep fleeing a U.S. crackdown on illegal aliens.
"We just don't know what the numbers are going to be. It's the uncertainty that causes us concern," Francis said. "The 200 we already have is a lot. It's 200 we didn't have last week and didn't expect.
"The word has spread like wildfire. It's being advertised down south where there is a large illegal immigrant population how you should go to Canada where you get free health care and social assistance.
"We don't have the ability financially to deal with this."
Lodging has totalled $197,000, with the city's share (20 per cent) equalling $39,400 as of Thursday. The remaining 80 per cent is paid by the province.
There have been 55 applicants for social assistance, with 32 meeting the criteria. The city has paid them $32,000 so far.
Another problem is Windsor's emergency shelters are full and should any emergency occur there would be nowhere to put people, Warsh said.
"It's going to depend on the winter. If we have an emergency in winter or our economy takes a big downturn and people lose their homes, we are really in trouble."
Windsor West MPP and provincial cabinet minister Sandra Pupatello has also asked the feds for help in Windsor. She made a similar request a few years ago when she was Ontario's social services minister.
"It's been a chronic issue. Federal legislation allows refugees this type of opportunity, yet they take no responsibility when they arrive.
"We've made repeated arguments to reimburse the province and cities for this. The feds should be picking up the tab."
Ontario's costs can add up to $10 million every year supporting refugees or sponsored immigrants who can also end up on welfare, she said.
VERY CONCERNED
"We are very concerned this has fallen on deaf ears," Pupatello said. "We want to help people who need help, but if federal rules are making it happen, they should reimburse the costs. "
There was little response Thursday from Ottawa.
Staff for local MP Jeff Watson (Conservative -- Essex) said he was busy Thursday in meetings and unable to respond, referring the issue to the Prime Minister's Office.
A spokesman for the prime minister said Thursday night that the prime minister's staff could not track down the mayor's letter requesting help and had no response.
"I recommend calling the immigration minister," the staff member said. "Regarding the letter, we will let you know."
He referred the issue to the office of Immigration Minister Diane Finley. Messages left with Mike Fraser, the minister's spokesman, were not returned.
A spokeswoman for Citizenship and Immigration Canada said they were aware of Windsor's situation, "but in terms of a statement, I don't have one for you at this time," said Karen Shadd-Evelyn.
The federal government does provide an interim health program for refugee claimants and their families which lasts until they become qualified to receive provincial health coverage.
"It's the only financial part we are responsible for," she said.
APPEALING FOR HELP
Among options being discussed by city officials is appealing to major urban centres like Toronto or Ottawa for help in taking on some of the Mexican claimants.
"Cities like Toronto, Ottawa or Vancouver possibly could handle this within their budget. Our budget is not capable," Francis said.
"But we are making a case a city should not pay for this. This is an immigration issue. This is a group of individuals crossing the border seeking refugee status. That's federal jurisdiction and they should pay for it.
"It shouldn't be the city of Windsor's taxpayers."
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