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A dawn raid and mass arrests by the Canada Border Services Agency at Hastings Racecourse are not unusual actions for border agents, a Vancouver immigration lawyer said.

Up to 26 backstretch workers were led away in restraints from the racetrack by CBSA officers on Monday.

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“I’ve been trying to follow up on that and get gritty with the facts,” said lawyer Richard Kurland. “The view from 10,000 metres is simple: CBSA has engaged in group arrests across Canada over many years.

“Typically, CBSA will engage in group arrests to scoop failed refugee claimants, people who have outstanding arrest warrants, or illegal workers.”

The agency has usually done its homework, he said, and, as in the case at Hastings, knows who it is after.

Border agents had photos of who they were looking for and were “unnecessarily abrasive,” said David Milburn, a long-time horse owner and president of the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Society.