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OTTAWA — The Liberal government is taking heat on all sides for its handling of increased illegal migration across the Canada-U.S. border, with a recent spike in Quebec.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stressed Wednesday in a press conference that migrants must follow rules when they get to Canada, but Canada will always be welcoming towards immigrants and refugees.

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He added “there are no advantages” to crossing the border illegally. “There is no difference in the actual processing.”

Security and health checks are thorough, and people can be detained if they pose a risk.

Almost 7,000 people, mostly Haitians who fear imminent deportation from the United States, have crossed into Quebec from New York over the summer. Tents have been set up by the Canadian Armed Forces in Cornwall, Ont. to give shelter to the new arrivals as they wait to claim asylum.

Photo by Graham Hughes for National Post

A volume of 250 arrivals a day last week has slowed to 140 a day this week, according to Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale.