The Canada Border Services Agency says 15 foreign nationals facing extortion charges have applied for refugee status in Canada.

The statement from CBSA neither reveals the nationalities of the individuals nor details about their applications — but Surrey, B.C., Mayor Brenda Locke says she's "appalled" to learn the suspects are claiming refugee status to evade deportation.

Locke says extortion attempts have disproportionately impacted her city, and its residents deserve better than to see Canada's legal and immigration systems "abused by criminals to extend their stay in Canada."

The mayor says extortion suspects "must face swift justice," and the federal government must immediately fix immigration and deportation laws to protect communities like hers, which has seen 106 extortion cases

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