Pakistanis seeking refuge in Canada from the U.S. registration law are being turned away at all three major entry points, Plattsburgh, N.Y., Buffalo , N.Y. and Windsor, Ontario. After they file claims at the border, they are given an appointment with a judge to prove their refugee status and then are sent back to the United States.

Previously, people were allowed entry into Canada after filing their claims. People who are sent back to the United States are being fingerprinted, but not arrested, by U.S. authorities. However, U.S. authoritise warn refugee seekers that they may be arrested if they are sent back by the Canadians a second time.

Canadian authorities are aware that Pakistanis are seeking refuge from the U.S. registration law. They have said that Pakistanis must have, at the very least, their Pakistani passport as they cross the border to Canada. Those who file refugee claims and are not sent back to the United States are kept under custody by the Canadians for four to five days.

At Plattsbugh, the border crossing preferred by Pakistanis, people now have to

wait a week or more to file a claim.

A woman, who preferred to be unnamed, filed for refugee status, and she was asked to return to the United States and return to the Canadian border on Jan. 29th for an appointment with a judge. Then, the U.S. authorities told her that if she is refused entry into Canada on the 29th she will have to return to Pakistan within seven days, on pain of arrest. Most families who have been admitted from the United States have very few resources of their own and are living at a YMCA or other charitable organizations. This reporter interviewed a family of six, who lives near Niagara and receives welfare checks from the government of CDN$1300 a month. A family of five living in a YMCA in Mississauga, Onatrio is receiving CDN$1250 a month.