The U.S. is no longer a safe harbour for domestic violence refugees, but crossing into Canada is often impossible

Claudia Ensuncho Martinez’s right forearm is tattooed with a feather, its spine formed by the white scar stretching from her wrist to elbow.

On a sweltering day last August, Ms. Ensuncho Martinez arrived at the Canadian border fleeing the man who inflicted that scar. After the journey from Colombia by boat, by foot, by bus and by train, the Rainbow Bridge was a portal to a new life.