Pubdate: Sat, 13 Nov 2004 Source: Abbotsford News (CN BC) Copyright: 2004 Hacker Press Ltd. Contact: http://www.abbynews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1155 Author: Joe Millican WHITE: CANADA CRIMINAL HAVEN American drug traffickers, the FBI's most wanted and U.S.-born Hells Angels are just some of the individuals who have sought refuge in Canada, according to Abbotsford MP Randy White. And that - together with White's claims that "dozens" of American refugee cases have been heard in Canada in the past year - has prompted the long-serving MP to say enough is enough. "Canada has become a haven for criminals and drug activists from the States, and the Refugee Board continues to accommodate them while Canadians foot the bill," White said. "Legitimate refugees must wait for their hearing while criminals use the system's resources for their own purposes. In fact, there are web sites set up specifically to assist Americans facing marijuana charges to enter Canada as refugees." White says that in 2003, an American claimed refugee status in Canada after being indicted in the U.S. on conspiracy to import drugs. And earlier this year, he says an American on the FBI's most wanted list was arrested in B.C. and claimed refugee status to avoid deportation. He is awaiting hearings, according to White. "There is no such thing as an American refugee. The system must change," he added. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin