SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The Border Patrol in North Dakota says most people seeking asylum into Canada are in the United States legally.
The Patrol, which watches the growing exodus of people from North Dakota and Minnesota, reports a significant increase in immigrants from Muslim-dominated countries heading north. Many tell the agents that they fear they could be deported by the Trump Administration.
Aaron Heitke is the Chief Border Patrol Agent with the Grand Forks sector.
Heitke says it's not a crime to be on the border. He say the folks they're running into are in the United States legally, they haven't committed a crime.
Heitke says the Border Patrol is called most often in a rescue situation where someone has called 911 because they're lost or too cold to move on. He says those calls come into the local sheriff and the Patrol aids in the rescue.
Heitke says those going across the border are eventually taken to a processing center in Winnepeg where they are usually granted permission to stay in Canada.
Some immigrants fly into U.S. airports and then cross the border. The Patrol is working with Canada border services agency and Royal Canadian Mounted Police in identifying those crossing the border.
