According to a CBSNews report on 8 December 2004, the Pentagon says that "more than 5,500 servicemen have deserted since the war started in Iraq". Many of them fled to Canada, as did about 55,000 Vietnam war deserters. However, back then Canada welcomed the US deserters, but the law has changed since, and todays deserters have to convince the Immigration Board that they are refugees.
Some of the deserters will be represented before the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Board by Toronto lawyer Jeffry House.