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We are very mindful of the August 9 deadline and so we are working on a number of options

More than half of asylum seekers who entered Canada by the end of may filed a claim for refugee status from inside the country, meaning they crossed the border irregularly rather than at an airport or other official crossing, according to the latest data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Under current rules, asylum seekers have 15 days to file a refugee claim once they arrive in Canada. If the claim is accepted, Canada has an obligation to protect those people and provide them with services such as housing until their claim is heard, says Mathieu Genest, spokesman for the federal immigration minister.

“We are very mindful of the August 9 deadline and so we are working on a number of options,” he said, though he gave no further details.

More than 85 per cent of the thousands of asylum seekers in Toronto come from Nigeria, according to city statistics.

Photo by Ryan Remiorz/THE CANADIAN PRESS

The Nigerian asylum seekers in the Centennial residence have formed a tight-knit community, travelling in groups to view potential homes or meet with organizations such as the Red Cross, some of them said.

Many have received a social insurance number and a work permit, but said jobs and homes have been hard to find, as they can’t provide landlords with pay stubs or credit checks. A competitive rental housing market makes finding a suitable home even more challenging, they said.

Agibola, a 37-year-old man who gave only his first name, said he has been viewing multiple apartments every day, some as far as London, Ont. He said he keeps getting rejected because he can’t give landlords the documents they’re asking for.

“How can I look for an apartment when I don’t have a job? And if I have a job how can I look for an apartment?” he said.

We don't expect the government to do everything for us

It also takes an emotional toll, he said, noting his two young kids think every apartment they tour will be their new home.

Despite the looming deadline, Agibola said everyone is trying to remain positive and they’re thankful for the support they have received.

“I know the government is trying their best. I know they’re trying to make us comfortable and I appreciate that,” he said. “We don’t expect the government to do everything for us.”