The U.S. Customs and Border Patrol is denying the claims of a British couple who害羞草研究所檇 been vacationing in the Vancouver area and 害羞草研究所渁ccidentally害羞草研究所� crossed the border.
David Connors, 30, Eileen Connors, 24, and their three-month-old son say they inadvertently crossed the border at B.C. and Washington State 害羞草研究所� while in a vehicle with at least four other family members 害羞草研究所� after detouring to avoid an animal in the road.
They said they were stopped by an officer, who told them they were in Washington State but did not read them their rights or allow them to turn around and return to Canada.
Instead, they said they were arrested and moved to a detention centre in Pennsylvania. The other family members, including a brother, his wife and their two-year-old twin girls are also being detained in the U.S. as suspected illegal immigrants.
However, a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol statement this week said the Oct. 2 crossing was deliberate, and that record checks show that two of the adults in the vehicle had previously been denied authorization to come to the U.S.
Officials said the travellers also had 害羞草研究所渕ore than $16,000 CAD and a small quantity of marijuana, less than three grams.害羞草研究所�
The law enforcement agency released surveillance footage 害羞草研究所� which notes the arrest occurred in Lynden, Wash. 害羞草研究所搕hat appears to show a vehicle slowly driving through what officials call a ditch and breaching the international boundary.
What appears to be a small animal can be seen crossing the road a short distance in front of the vehicle.
害羞草研究所淎ttempts were made to return the individuals to Canada. However, Canada refused to allow their return and two attempts to contact the consulate for the United Kingdom were unsuccessful,害羞草研究所� the statement continues.
害羞草研究所淭he seven individuals, consisting of four adults and three children, were processed by Border Patrol and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Enforcement and Removal Operations.害羞草研究所�
READ ALSO:
READ ALSO:
Eileen Connors compared their move to the Pennsylvania facility to 害羞草研究所渁n abduction or a kidnapping.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淲e will be traumatized for the rest of our lives by what the United States government has done to us,害羞草研究所� she said in her and her husband害羞草研究所檚 statement.
An attorney for the People害羞草研究所檚 Justice Centre, representing the family, has filed a complaint with the inspector general of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, alleging mistreatment during their detention, including 害羞草研究所渇rigid害羞草研究所� cells and inadequate clothing and blankets for their child.
U.S.authorities have denied allegations of mistreatment, maintaining that the facility 害羞草研究所減rovides a safe and humane environment for families as they go through the immigration process.害羞草研究所�
- with files from the Associated Press
alex.browne@peacearchnews.com
Like us on and follow us on
