Immigrants flee U.S.

last updated 8 January 2015

Montreal

Hundreds of Pakistanis and other immigrants have slipped into Canada from the U.S. to avoid having to register with U.S. authorities. Men from 25 countries that are labeled as security threats who are living as visitors in the U.S. must register with immigration officials by Feb. 21. Since the program began in December, hundreds of illegal immigrants have been arrested when they’ve shown up to comply. Those detained face near certain deportation, so many families have decided to run. In Canada, most are requesting political asylum, which is typically granted to 54 percent of applicants. “Everybody doesn’t get luck in life,” one man told The Washington Post, shortly before crossing the border south of Montreal.