US asylum seekers fleeing to Canada after Trump’s travel ban

World Today

Many refugees in the United States are fleeing to Canada following expanded enforcement of U.S. immigration laws and an anticipated new entry ban from the White House.

CGTN’s Han Peng reports.

Somali asylum seekers are illegally crossing the U.S. border, but they are not staying. They’re escaping to Canada.

In the northern U.S. state of Minnesota, fear of deportation is driving many refugees to brave freezing temperatures and knee-deep snow.

Some of these travelers have suffered frostbite, losing all their fingers except their thumbs. When they called for help, it was U.S. emergency services that rescued them.

In one Somali community in Minnesota, 90 percent are Somali Americans or Somali nationals holding U.S. green cards.

Some feared they could become President Trump’s next target. This is despite the fact that there has been no deadly terrorist attack in the U.S. launched by Somali refugees or nationals.

In the past, there have been terror organizations targeting the community. They have also tried to recruit people to join.

In 2008, Somali-based terrorist group Al-Shabaab produced a propaganda video. Part of the video was shot on a street in Minnesota, showing that Al-Shabaab members may have been there.

It had such a strong influence in the community that at least one person joined Al-Shabaab. He was the cousin of the community leader.