..."Going forward we should be told if this is to be a permanent fixture of our immigration policy, which is, find a place along the border cross over and we will take care of you."...

Excellent question.

All you have to do is enter somewhere along the border, or anywhere along our coast, then you are entitled to the same process as if it were an official application. But at the same time you get to remain in Canada for at least a year until your case is heard, and then for years after as you go through the appeals process.