BC

Tearful families and immigration activists have demanded an end to what they call "American-style tactics" by officers who patrol Canada's borders and police immigration.

Protesters gathered outside the glass doors of Vancouver's federal immigration offices on Thursday, deploring a series of raids at construction job sites where border services agents rounded up immigrant workers who allegedly lacked proper work permits.

They allege the Canada Border Services Agency brought in film crews to document surprise blitzes against the workers for a reality TV show, called Border Security.

Harsha Walia, with the group No One Is Illegal, called the raids alarming. She said they are reminiscent of similar mass raids south of the border.

"From what we know, there were at least three raids that happened (Wednesday) at construction sites across Vancouver," Walia said. "One in particular ... was raided by anywhere from 20 to 40 CBSA officers that had a reality TV show crew filming with them."

Walia said she was particularly shocked that producers for the television show, which airs on Global TV and National Geographic, would try to profit from "the violence of detention and deportation."

Walia has spoken to detainees who are currently undergoing interviews, she said. A few are expected to have hearings on Friday.

She said a number of them have been asked to sign film-release waivers.