U.S. Somali refugees eyeing Canada!

Dear Friends:

Here's an article that's been making the rounds of CTV News, CBC News, The Toronto Star, The Sun Chain and a bunch of other publications:

Members of the largest Somali community in the United States say they’re not surprised to see a growing number of asylum seekers braving the elements to illicitly enter Canada.

They say it a symptom of the contrast between U.S. President Donald Trump’s hard line views on immigration and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s welcoming tone.

"We like the prime minister of Canada, his generosity, and also Canadian people, how they open arms for everybody,” Somali American Mahamed Cali said.  (Jonathan Hayward) 

“Sometimes when you’re left with no options and you’re looking for a better life for yourself, people do take risks,” said Mohamud Noor, executive director of the Confederation of Somali Community in Minnesota.

Although there’s nothing new about people skirting official border crossings to get into Canada, more people are resorting to this option in the Trump era, said Noor.

Often travelers will arrange rides in Minneapolis and get dropped off hours later near the border in North Dakota, where drivers tell them “goodbye and good luck,” he said.

The Minnesota State Demographic Center says the state is home to almost one-third of the total U.S. Somali population. As of 2015, as many as 65,000 were born in the East African country or had parents from there. People in the community cite higher numbers.

Many were jolted by comments Trump made at a Minneapolis campaign rally two days before the November election. He told supporters the state had “suffered enough” from bringing in Somali refugees.

“That scared a lot of people who really wanted to vote for him in the beginning,” said Abdirizak Bihi, director of the Somali Education and Social Advocacy Center in Minneapolis.

The concern has only intensified since the administration’s attempted crackdown last month on travel from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Somalia. Though the ban has been blocked in court, there is still much confusion.

The contrast between the Trump administration and the Trudeau government’s “open-arm signals” has not been lost on those looking to flee strife in their homelands, said Abdulahi, who practiced law in Ethiopia before moving to the U.S. two decades ago.

“I think the rumour and word of mouth has spread around the community that Canada is a viable alternative to go.”

NOW, here's the reason for re-printing this article folks: If hundreds of people are willing to face the prospect of walking to Canada, out on the prairies, in the dead of a Manitoba winter ......., then just imagine what it will be like in the summer!

And hopefully we will welcome them with open arms!

Note: the only problem I can see is the quality of the Somali's 'critical thinking ' if they come from a hot African county and decide to settle in Minneapolis or Manitoba. (Baby it's cold outside!)