Federal ministers head to Manitoba-U.S. border, site of migrant crossings

Two federal cabinet ministers will visit the Manitoba town this weekend where dozens of people have crossed illegally into Canada in recent weeks.

The Liberal cabinet minister responsible for Manitoba, Jim Carr, along with Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale are making the trip Saturday to observe what's happening on the ground in Emerson, Man.

Goodale is expected to meet and thank local officials who played a major role assisting the people who have arrived in the small community since the start of the year.

• Manitoba boosts funds for asylum seekers, calls on feds to step up

Exactly how many people have crossed illegally into Canada in recent weeks is difficult to pin down.

Manitoba RCMP say 143 people had been intercepted as of Feb. 27, but expect to release new figures Saturday.

Most of those who've crossed the border illegally have been declared eligible to make claims for asylum, so they will not face charges for the illegal crossings until those claims have been decided, a process that could take months.

Amid calls for stepped-up enforcement along the border, Goodale has said existing resources were being shifted around as required.

Still, communities affected by the influx have also been asking for more support to help deal with the newcomers; earlier this week United Way Winnipeg started a website to raise funds.

• 'Growing urgency': United Way creates website for donations to help asylum seekers
• Read full coverage of refugees crossing the U.S. border into Manitoba