Duelling protests were held on Saturday at a major Quebec-New York border crossing close to where thousands of asylum seekers have illegally crossed into Canada in recent months.
The demonstrations at Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle, Que., border took place under a heavy police presence, which ensured the two sides were kept apart.
At the rally organized by far-right groups, including Storm Alliance, a self-described "ultranationalist" group, people denounced the Liberal government's handling of what they called "illegal immigration."
"I'm against illegal immigration, I'm against the Trudeau government," said Mike Noble, a construction worker who made the trip from Ottawa for the protest.
Noble, 35, said he was concerned that the country would be "taken over by other groups of people."
"My grandpa fought for this country during World War 2. My great grandfather fought for this country during World War 1 and I just can't let criminals, ISIS members, come here and try to destroy my people."
Counter-protesters from groups including Solidarity Across Borders staged their own demonstration to show refugee claimants they are welcome in the country. One of the protesters, activist Jaggi Singh, was arrested.
The rallies led to disruptions at the border crossing during the busy holiday weekend.
The crossing was closed for more than two hours Saturday afternoon. Quebec provincial police were also temporarily forced to block off Highway 15 in both directions near the U.S. border.
SQ riot police pushing back Solidarity Across Borders counterprotesters who have blocked off Autoroute 15s. Protest declared@ illegal. Jaggi Singh detained. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/manifencours?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#manifencours</a> <a href="https://t.co/iY1Utcl7sX">pic.twitter.com/iY1Utcl7sX</a>
—@simon_nakThe two sides have held rallies at the border before, including last year on Canada Day.
More than 7,600 people have entered Canada outside official border crossings so far this year. The bulk of those have crossed in Quebec at Roxham Road.
Earlier Saturday, a group of residents gathered at an event close to Roxham Road to show their support for asylum seekers.
Jeff Turner, an engineer who lives nearby with his young family, said he was eager to present a counterpoint to the far-right protest.
He said the vast majority of people aren't nearly as "angry and unwelcoming" as those who get most of the attention.
"Most of us are just regular people that can sympathize with folks coming from a different part of the world with young families that are just trying to make ends meet," he said.