text: Not to pile on, but I would hazard a guess that a declared "refugee" claimant in Canada, versus the same person just arriving in the USA, and having their cousin set them up illegally as a housekeeper, or grass cutter is YUGELY different in the cost to the social safety net.
  
  In the USA? No healthcare (as long as they stay out of the Emergency ward), no unemployment, etc. No one giving them language lessons, or dental care. No help with housing (from the government)
  
  In Canada? 180 degrees different.
  
  Short answer, 500 claimants in Canada probably cost (to the taxpayer) as much as 5,000 or 20,000 in the USA - if that.
  
  Remember, these people are in the USA "UNDOCUMENTED", in Canada become "documented", with all the attendant benefits.