The grand chief of Akwesasne's elected council says desperation is driving some people to risk their lives crossing the Canada-U.S. border illegally. And economic pressure is driving some community members to help them, he says.
on Tuesday that the tragedy has taken a toll on the community, particularly on the first responders who took part in the search.Benedict said he hopes the tragedy causes policymakers in both countries to question their approach to immigration.
"We need to take a moment, pause and think about how desperate these folks were that they would put their family's lives at risk … to choose illegal routes to enter into another country," he said, singling outA friend of the victims who had ties to Romania said on MondayPolice helicopters search the St. Lawrence River marshland in Akwesasne on Friday.
Authorities have said the territory's unique geography makes it a popular spot for human smugglers, withBenedict said some community members who are struggling financially can be tempted into helping organized criminals smuggle people across the border. "One would argue that smuggling, whether that's people or goods, takes place because people need money," he told CBC'son Monday. "The government needs to continue to support communities like Akwesasne with economic development."In the path of destruction
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