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What is the Canada-US Border Rights Clinic?

The Canada-US Border Rights Clinic is an online, free legal clinic that can give you legal information about seeking protection at the Canada-US Border.

The Clinic also helps service providers who work with migrants by providing legal information and advice.

The clinic’s team works with partners from across North America to provide legal information about the border. COMPASS Refugee Centre runs the clinic, and they use their refugee rights experience to support people on their journey.

How can the Clinic help migrants?

People seeking protection at the border often face complex legal challenges. The Clinic is available to people and their families on either side of the border. The Clinic offers:

Legal Information - Accessible through the Clinic’s website and multilingual fact sheets.
Summary Legal Advice - One-on-one consultations addressing eligibility for a refugee claim at the border, cases involving directed-back individuals, and ongoing cross-border issues.

How can the Clinic help service providers?

The Clinic works with settlement agencies, legal aid organizations, and community groups to strengthen their knowledge and capacity.

The Clinic offers:

Workshops - On border-related legal topics.
Referrals - Help with connecting clients to legal information and advice.

How can I contact the Canada-US Border Rights Clinic?

You can learn more about the Canada-US Border Rights Clinic, access resources, or contact the Clinic directly and ask them for assistance. This is called a self-referral.

You can contact them directly by:

Email at [email protected]
Phone locally at 289-273-6466 or toll-free at 1-855-621-2060

For More Information

Canada's Refugee System - Information about the structure of Canada's refugee system. From Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
WelcomeOntario.ca - A refugee assistance information website providing trustworthy information for those helping refugees settle in Ontario.
Immigration and Refugee Board - An independent tribunal responsible for hearing refugee claims and appeals.
The Asylum System in Canada - A visual summary of how the asylum system works in Canada. From the UNHCR.
RefugeeClaim.ca - A multilingual resource that provides information on how to prepare for your hearing. From Kinbrace.
Front-End Processing - This infographic has information about how people apply for refugee status. From CCR.
MyRefugeeClaim.ca - A guide for refugee claimants about Canada's refugee protection process. From Kinbrace.
Your Refugee Hearing - This website has practical information to help you prepare for a hearing at the Immigration and Refugee Board. It also offers an online tour of a hearing room. From Steps to Justice.