Although legislation has been proposed to slow the immigration of these "snowbacks," as they are called, others feel the Canadians can make useful contributions to American society.

"They will listen to women and laugh at their jokes; these are jobs no American man would want," said one observer. "Someone's got to do it; why not them?"

Authorities point to such cartoonists as Bryan Lee O'Malley, whose American bride, Hope Larson, has emigrated to Canada, as an example of the dangers posed by the influx.

"This has got to stop -- they are stealing some of our best cartoonists, too!" said one angry demonstrator outside the Puck Building in Soho.

D&Q publisher Chris Oliveros, and the Beguiling's Chris Butcher are believed to be aiding the immigrants with transportation over the border.