MOHAWK COUNCIL OF AKWESASNE HELPS COMMUNITY MEMBERS FILE APPEALS IN RESPONSE TO VEHICLE SEIZURES
Kentenha/October 8, 2009
Akwesasne, ONTARIO — The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne announced that it is continuing to provide assistance to community members that are subjected to vehicle seizures by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). The decision by the Mohawk Council to continue its efforts to help local residents was in response to reports that the CBSA is continuing to conduct civil enforcement actions against Akwesasne Mohawks for not directly reporting to the relocated Port of Entry in Cornwall.
On September 16th, the CBSA implemented its non-report enforcement strategy on Akwesasne Mohawks that failed to comply with their reporting requirement as far back as September 14th. The CBSA began seizing vehicles and issuing monetary fines against community members for their first act of non-compliance. As a result, the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne established emergency measures to help community members get their vehicles returned, which include assistance in filing an appeal.
Following a 24-hour “grace period” that ended on September 25th, Akwesasne leaders have received reports that the CBSA has wrongfully seized vehicles that belong to community members that have complied and directly reported. As well, some Kawehnoke residents are claiming their vehicles are also being seized, despite that fact that they did not travel to the United States. These wrongful actions by the CBSA have only added to the community’s frustration and concern with the current reporting requirement.
As a result of these continued and disturbing enforcement actions by the CBSA, the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne stated that it will continue efforts to help community members being subjected to vehicle seizures. Mohawk Council indicated that it will continue to help local residents in filing an appeal to have the CBSA return the collected fine.
Community members that have been subjected to seizures are asked to contact the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne for help in filing an appeal by calling Dawn David at 613) 575-2348.
