Out of 135 asylum seekers intercepted by RCMP while crossing into Canada on foot near Emerson in a recent one-month stretch, three were detained because they were found to be a danger to the public, Canadian Border Service Agency officials say. The union representing border patrol officers raised concerns about public safety last week, saying nearly half of the asylum seekers entering at Emerson in the last few weeks have some criminality in their backgrounds. The 135 asylum seekers who were recently intercepted were found from March 20 to April 16. People can only be detained at the border for three reasons: They're a danger to the public, they're unlikely to appear for a removal hearing, or their identity can't be determined. The Canadian Border Services Agency does not keep statistics on asylum seekers who have a criminal record or have been charged with a crime but have not been detained.

Source: CBC News April 19, 2017 13:30 UTC