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Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Canadian bill seeks to deny hearings to some asylum-seekers
FILE PHOTO: A group of asylum seekers claiming to be from Haiti take their luggage out of a taxi as they arrive near a checkpoint on Roxham Road near Hemmingford, Quebec, Canada April 24, 2022. Picture taken April 24, 2022. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi/File Photo TORONTO - A Canadian border-security bill introduced by the Liberal government earlier this week may deny some asylum-seekers a refugee hearing and make it easier for the government to revoke migrants' status. The bill comes as the government seeks to address U.S. concerns about its border security and reduce the number of migrants in the country. In addition to denying some refugee hearings and allowing the suspension, cancellation or variance of immigration documents, the bill facilitates sharing people's information and makes it easier to read people's mail, among other measures. President Donald Trump has said Canada had failed to do enough to stem the flow of illicit fentanyl into the U.S., using that as justification for some of his tariffs. This week Trump doubled the tariffs in place on steel and aluminum, prompting calls for Canada to boost retaliatory measures of its own. Late last year Canada pledged C$1.3 billion to beef up its border. As Canada reduces the number of new permanent and temporary residents, its refugee system faces a historic backlog of more than 280,000 cases. This week's bill follows through on some of those border promises as well as on suggestions from some top ministers that Canada would fast-track refusals for some refugee claims. If the bill passes, asylum-seekers who have been in Canada more than one year would not be eligible for refugee hearings. Instead, they would have access to a pre-removal risk assessment, meant to determine whether they would be in danger in their country of origin. According to data published by Canada's Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Department, 30% of pre-removal risk assessments in 2019 for people deemed ineligible for refugee hearings were approved; by contrast, according to Immigration and Refugee Board data, that year 60% of finalized refugee hearings were approved. Asylum-seekers who wait two weeks to file claims after crossing from the U.S. to avoid being turned back under a bilateral agreement would also not get hearings. The bill, which needs to go through multiple readings before the House of Commons votes on it and sends it to the Senate, would also allow the government to "cancel, suspend or vary" immigration documents if deemed in the public interest. Migrant and refugee advocates worry the changes could leave vulnerable people deported to dangerous situations in their home countries without adequate due process. A spokesperson for Canada's Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab said on Wednesday that the government recognizes the conditions in people's home countries may change, but the pre-removal risk assessment will prevent them from being returned to persecution or torture. "The asylum ineligibilities introduced yesterday seek to maintain protection for those fleeing danger while discouraging misuse that bypasses the asylum system's function – which is to protect the vulnerable," the spokesperson wrote in an email. "Canada is reneging on its basic human rights obligations to do individual arbitration," said Migrant Rights Network spokesperson Syed Hussan. "This is teeing up a deportation machine." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Canadian bill seeks to deny hearings to some asylum-seekers
TORONTO, - A Canadian border-security bill introduced by the Liberal government earlier this week may deny some asylum-seekers a refugee hearing and make it easier for the government to revoke migrants' status. The bill comes as the government seeks to address U.S. concerns about its border security and reduce the number of migrants in the country. In addition to denying some refugee hearings and allowing the suspension, cancellation or variance of immigration documents, the bill facilitates sharing people's information and makes it easier to read people's mail, among other measures. President Donald Trump has said Canada had failed to do enough to stem the flow of illicit fentanyl into the U.S., using that as justification for some of his tariffs. This week Trump doubled the tariffs in place on steel and aluminum, prompting calls for Canada to boost retaliatory measures of its own. Late last year Canada pledged C$1.3 billion to beef up its border. As Canada reduces the number of new permanent and temporary residents, its refugee system faces a historic backlog of more than 280,000 cases. This week's bill follows through on some of those border promises as well as on suggestions from some top ministers that Canada would fast-track refusals for some refugee claims. If the bill passes, asylum-seekers who have been in Canada more than one year would not be eligible for refugee hearings. Instead, they would have access to a pre-removal risk assessment, meant to determine whether they would be in danger in their country of origin. According to data published by Canada's Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Department, 30% of pre-removal risk assessments in 2019 for people deemed ineligible for refugee hearings were approved; by contrast, according to Immigration and Refugee Board data, that year 60% of finalized refugee hearings were approved. Asylum-seekers who wait two weeks to file claims after crossing from the U.S. to avoid being turned back under a bilateral agreement would also not get hearings. The bill, which needs to go through multiple readings before the House of Commons votes on it and sends it to the Senate, would also allow the government to "cancel, suspend or vary" immigration documents if deemed in the public interest. Migrant and refugee advocates worry the changes could leave vulnerable people deported to dangerous situations in their home countries without adequate due process. A spokesperson for Canada's Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab said on Wednesday that the government recognizes the conditions in people's home countries may change, but the pre-removal risk assessment will prevent them from being returned to persecution or torture. "The asylum ineligibilities introduced yesterday seek to maintain protection for those fleeing danger while discouraging misuse that bypasses the asylum system's function – which is to protect the vulnerable," the spokesperson wrote in an email. "Canada is reneging on its basic human rights obligations to do individual arbitration," said Migrant Rights Network spokesperson Syed Hussan. "This is teeing up a deportation machine."
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Canada cracks down on asylum abuse: Canada's bill will stem the rising number of international students seeking asylum
Record surge in asylum claims highlights the struggles of international students amid Canada's tightening immigration policies Canada has introduced a new bill – the Strong Borders Act, aimed at enhancing border security, stopping the flow of illegal fentanyl, combat money laundering, and ensuring the integrity of the immigration system. "Amid the wide array of provisions are measures that will curb the rising number of international students—many of them from India—from seeking asylum. Between January and September 2024 alone, nearly 14,000 asylum claims were filed by international students, with Indian nationals accounting for close to 2,300 of these applications." Several Indian students are misled into believing that they can convert their temporary student status into permanent residency by claiming asylum. The truth is that claims made under false pretexts can result in deportation. To protect the integrity of the asylum mechanism, the bill states that claims made more than a year after arriving in Canada (post June 24, 2020) will not be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB). Further, claims made more than fourteen days after entering Canada clandestinely from the US via land borders will also be ineligible. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo The bill adds that claims will only be decided while the claimant is in Canada, inactive cases will be removed, and voluntary departures will be expedited. However, vulnerable claimants, such as minors, will be assigned representatives to support them during the proceedings. Talking to TOI, Kubeir Kamal, a regulated Canadian immigration consultant (RCIC) said, 'It is a much-needed response to curb fraudulent claims and ensure public safety. This measure applies universally, including to students and temporary residents, regardless of whether they left Canada and returned. Affected individuals can still apply for a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) to ensure they are not deported to unsafe conditions. ' 'The surge in asylum claims by international students, reaching a record 20,245 in 2024 and projected to rise in 2025, is largely attributed to tightened immigration policies, including a significant reduction in study permits, restricted work permit eligibility, and limited pathways to permanent residency. The top source countries for these claims are India, Nigeria, Guinea, Ghana, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. With an IRB backlog of approximately 275,000 cases and a processing capacity of 80,000 claims annually, delays of about 3.5 years exacerbate the issue, pushing international students toward asylum as an alternative to stay in Canada.' The bill gives Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the country's immigration agency the authority to share information (such as status, immigration documentation) with federal, provincial and territorial authorities through signed agreements. The agency will also get the right to cancel, suspend or change immigration documents, and to cancel, suspend or stop accepting new applications; or or halt processing of existing applications for reasons of public health or national security. Lena Metlege Diab, Immigration Minister, commented on the bill, 'Canada is taking action to respond to rising migration pressures. We're improving security at the Canada-US border and making our immigration and asylum systems stronger, more flexible, and responsive to new and developing pressures. This is about protecting the integrity of our system while building a safer and more resilient Canada.'
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Canada govt introduces legislation to curb asylum claims amid reports of misuse of refugee system
Toronto: Amid accusations of misuse of Canada's refugee system, the government has introduced legislation that aims at curbing the sharp escalation in asylum claims over the past couple of years, including a major increase in the number of those from India. The changes are part of the larger Strong Borders Act, proposed by Canada's Minister of Public Safety Gary Anandasangaree in parliament on Tuesday. A backgrounder on the bill stated that among 'proposed ineligibility measures' to 'protect the asylum system against sudden increases in claims', those made by people more than one year after first arriving in Canada after June 24, 2020, would not be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board or IRB. 'This would apply to anyone, including students and temporary residents, regardless of whether they left the country and returned,' it said. In addition, it said the bill will ensure that claims are only decided by the IRB while the claimant is physically present in Canada, inactive cases from the system will be removed and voluntary departures sped up by making removal orders effective the same day a claim is withdrawn. Other immigration measures include new authorities, which 'could be used for matters of public health or national security', which would allow the government to cancel, suspend or change groups of immigration documents immediately, pause the acceptance of new applications and pause or cancel the processing of applications already in the inventory. The outlet Global News reported last month that international students filed a record 20,245 asylum claims last year, and another 5,500 in the first quarter of 2025. Among the countries with the highest such claims was India. That is also reflected in the overall asylum claims figures. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada or IRCC data, ten years back, in 2015, Indians filed 380 claims out of a total of 16,050, just 2.37%. In the first quarter of this year, Indians filed 5,260 asylum claims out of 28,880, or about 18%. India has expressed worry over the system being manipulated by pro-Khalistan elements. In September this year, a senior official told the Hindustan Times, that there was the increasing phenomenon of young people joining pro-Khalistan protests outside Indian missions in Canada, taking selfies and then leaving within minutes. Support networks for international students have also told HT that as pathways to permanent residency have narrowed, immigration agents have taken to advising clients to take the refugee route to remain in Canada. Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, said, 'This is about protecting the integrity of our system while building a safer and more resilient Canada.'
Global News
5 days ago
- Health
- Global News
Canada aims to tighten asylum rules, combat fentanyl with new border bill
The federal government introduced new legislation Tuesday that aims to both strengthen and streamline the immigration process, including new limits on asylum claims, while also cracking down on cross-border fentanyl trafficking. The proposed bill addresses not only several of the border security priorities highlighted by Prime Minister Mark Carney, but also some of the longstanding complaints voiced by U.S. lawmakers, diplomats and Canadian police organizations. 'This new legislation will ensure Canada has the right tools to keep our border secure, combat transnational organized crime and fentanyl, and disrupt illicit financing,' Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree told reporters in Ottawa after tabling the legislation. The minister said he planned to brief U.S. border czar Tom Homan on the new legislation in a meeting later Tuesday, and acknowledged it addresses some issues that have been 'irritants for the U.S.' Story continues below advertisement He added it will likely play into ongoing negotiations with the Trump administration on a new security relationship that Carney has been pursuing. 'It's not exclusively about the United States,' Anandasangaree said. 'This is about delivering a win for Canada and ensuring that our borders are safer, our communities are safer, and of course we're responding to some of the concerns that have been posed by the White House.' 2:04 Canadian government 'fact check' dismisses Trump's border security claims Anandasangaree said the new bill, dubbed the Strong Borders Act, builds upon the $1.3-billion border security package announced last December that saw the appointment of a fentanyl czar and new equipment for the RCMP at the border, among other measures. No new funding is attached to the bill. What would the bill do? Under the proposed legislation, anyone who makes an asylum claim more than a year after arriving in Canada would not see their claim referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board. Story continues below advertisement Those entering Canada across the U.S. land border under the Safe Third Country Agreement will have just 14 days to make an asylum claim in order to be considered. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Claimants who apply beyond those deadlines will still be subject to a pre-removal risk assessment to determine if their safety will be at risk if returned to their home country, which Anandasangaree called an 'important safeguard.' The new rules address a growing issue of international students and other temporary visa holders claiming asylum after their visas expire in order to stay in Canada. Federal immigration data obtained by Global News suggests such claims will continue to rise this year. The new bill would also 'improve and modernize' the existing asylum system by simplifying the application process, speeding up both referrals and removal orders, and removing inactive cases from the system. Claims will only be decided on while a person is physically present in Canada. It also gives the government the power to suspend new applications and the processing of existing claims 'for matters of public health and national security,' and improve information sharing of immigration documents and information among different levels of government and law enforcement. One provision in the bill, to allow the RCMP to share sex offender data with law enforcement partners in the U.S. and other domestic and international partners, answers a long-standing request for cross-border cooperation on sex trafficking investigations that dates back to the Biden administration. Story continues below advertisement 23:24 The West Block: Border agents search 'less than 1%' of goods coming into Canada, CBSA union president says As for fentanyl, the government aims to make precursor chemicals used to produce the illicit opioid controlled substances, which would allow greater federal oversight of those shipments. Ports of entry, transporters and warehouse operators will be required to allow Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officials to conduct export inspections, matching existing requirements for import inspections. The bill would also give the Canadian Coast Guard expanded powers to conduct security patrols and collect and share information for security purposes. Police and Canada Post inspectors will also be able to search mail in approved cases under the proposed legislation. Former CBSA officials have long called for expanded search powers at entry points and international trade ports, noting less than one per cent of goods entering Canada are searched. Story continues below advertisement Expanded police powers The bill aims to strengthen police, border service and intelligence agency powers to access information and data, including requiring Canadian electronic service providers to comply with requests to access or intercept communications and other information. Some information could be accessed without a warrant in 'urgent, time-sensitive circumstances,' the government said in a background document that gave the example of cases involving the ongoing abuse of a child. 'If there is an active event happening … that involves the safety and security of someone, law enforcement can intervene at that point and seek and demand production of information,' Anandasangaree said. 'But in the absence of that, there is a judicial process by which they need to go and seek the warrants and the production orders required for them to continue the investigation. These are some of the very important safeguards that are being built in.' Story continues below advertisement Anandasangaree said he was confident the bill won't violate Canadians' charter rights to privacy and due process. 'In order for me to bring forward legislation, it needed to have the safeguards in place, it needed to be in line with the values of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,' he said. 'I fundamentally believe that we have (struck) the balance while expanding powers in certain instances, it does have the safeguards and the protections in place to protect individual freedoms and rights.'
