Canadians have empathy for refugees crossing into the country illegally but their concern over border security trumps all, a newly-released poll reveals.

Angus Reid Institute found that 50% of Canadians believe there’s a significant or huge risk of criminals and other dangerous individuals crossing into Canada through the unguarded border points now used by asylum seekers heading north from the U.S.

Almost three in every four Canadians want the country to focus its resources on monitoring and patrolling the border to discourage more crossings.

Shachi Kurl, executive director of Angus Reid Institute, said the polling exposes two commonly-held — and sometimes contradictory — Canadian views.

“On one hand, you do see a large number of Canadians who would say that ‘Yes, refugees are genuine, or mostly genuine,’ but there’s still concern about risk,” Kurl said. “That’s part of a trend that we see constantly when we ask about refugee resettlement or people coming into the country not through the usual immigration channels.

“There is often an underlying concern or worry on the security front,” she said.

The election of U.S. President Donald Trump prompted hundreds of asylum seekers to risk freezing temperatures to enter Canada illegally, allowing them to skirt the “safe third country” rule and claim refugee status.

Most Canadians expect even more people will attempt the illegal crossings when the weather warms up, the poll found.

Most people believe these asylum seekers are likely legitimate but they’re worried about “who else” will arrive, Kurl said.

While older Canadians and those who vote Conservative are the most likely to be worried about border security, two in every five NDP and Liberal voters share that concern, she said.

“The majority in the country do agree that Canada should be an example to the world when it comes to generosity towards refugees and more than two-thirds say many of the people who are coming have a real reason to be concerned that they won’t have a fair shake or fair treatment under Donald Trump,” Kurl said. “At some point, both of these views or aspirations are going to collide ... Canadians are going to have to take a look at where they really stand on this.”

Angus Reid Institute surveyed 1,511 Canadian adults between March 13-17, and the results are considered accurate within 2.5%, 19 times out of 20.