RCMP intercept asylum seekers overnight

By dinner time in Emerson nearly two dozen people had crossed into Manitoba from the United States on Saturday, February 11, 2017.

The first group entered in the early morning hours and were located 6 kilometres north of the border on highway 75 after they had called 911. The second group consisted of 16 people  and they also called 911 once they had crossed into Canada. 

Everyone in both groups picked up by RCMP were arrested for illegal entry into Canada. 

All of those individuals requested refugee status and were immediately taken to the Emerson port of entry to be processed by Canada Border Services Agency.

The Reeve of Emerson-Franklin, Greg Janzen said that in total 27 asylum seekers were found. He said local emergency crews were dispatched after they received two 911 emergency calls in the early morning hours Saturday.

Last weekend 22 people illegally entered Canada near Emerson.

-News4 Staff-