In extraordinary move, asylum seekers held on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea plead for US and Canada ‘to take us out of this miserable situation’ Letter sent by asylum seekers on Manus Island to Barack Obama Asylum seekers held by Australia in detention on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea have taken the extraordinary step of writing to other countries, begging for asylum there.Guardian Australia has received copies of letters sent by asylum seekers to US president Barack Obama and to the Canadian immigration department, asking to be resettled in those countries.