Illegal immigration to Canada

On the left side of a sign, which slightly side says "Road Closed" in the foreground, one of two police officers points to his left. On the right side, two people have wheeled suitcases behind them.
RCMP constables warn people about to enter Canada from Champlain, New York that they are entering Canada outside an official entry point and must present themselves to Lacolle Border Crossing.

Illegal immigration to Canada is the act of a person who is not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident entering or remaining in Canada in a manner contrary to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and its associated regulations. That includes persons who entered Canada on a travel visa but remained beyond the period of stay specified as well as persons who entered Canada without presenting themselves at a port of entry.

Canada is a signatory of the United Nations' 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, which forbids imposition of penalties on refugees who may have entered in contravention to national laws in order to seek protection; but that applies only to claimants while their case is being processed and to persons formally recognized as refugees.