TORONTO (Reuters) – A deal Canada struck this year to reduce the number of asylum seekers entering from the U.S. has not been as successful as initially thought. While the number of people caught at unofficial border crossings decreased significantly, the overall number of people filing refugee claims in Canada has actually increased. This is due to individuals arriving by air or sneaking across the border and hiding until they can apply for asylum without fear of being sent back.
The situation highlights the difficulty countries face in trying to control the influx of asylum seekers and the challenges that unexpected numbers can present. In Toronto, hundreds of people slept on the streets this summer as they struggled to find accommodations.
Shauna Labman, an associate professor at the University of Winnipeg, stated that closing a border does not solve the need for protection and only amplifies desperation. Canada prides itself on welcoming immigrants but has sought to discourage asylum seekers through an agreement with the U.S., where both countries turn back individuals attempting to seek asylum.
However, last year saw over 39,000 asylum seekers entering Canada through unofficial crossings, primarily in Quebec. This led to difficulties in accommodating arrivals, and as the numbers show, the attempts to reduce the influx have not been successful. Many individuals are drawn to Canada’s reputation for faster processing and greater acceptance of asylum applications compared to the U.S.
In response, Canada and the United States amended their Safe Third Country Agreement in March to include all areas along their land border, not just ports of entry. This expansion resulted in a significant decrease in the number of people intercepted at informal crossings.
However, despite this decrease, the overall number of asylum seekers in Canada has increased. In July, there were 12,010 refugee claims made, the highest monthly total since at least January 2017. Some of the increased numbers are due to more people filing claims at airports or local immigration department offices. The top five countries of origin for claimants in the first half of the year were Mexico, Haiti, Turkey, Colombia, and India.
Experts suggest that Canada is becoming an attractive option for individuals seeking safety, as other countries implement stricter migration policies. The country’s reputation for providing refuge amid global challenges such as war, climate change, and human rights violations has contributed to the surge in asylum seekers.
Some individuals filing claims days or weeks after arriving in Canada are attempting to circumvent the two-week rule in the expanded agreement with the U.S., which states that asylum seekers apprehended within this period will be turned back unless they meet specific exemptions. As a result, some individuals cross the border undetected with the assistance of smugglers and hide until the two-week period elapses.
Migrant support organizations have witnessed this trend, with some individuals staying in hiding for two weeks before seeking assistance. They emphasize that this method is not safe and allows bad actors to take advantage of vulnerable individuals.
Despite the challenges, many individuals continue to seek refuge in Canada due to its reputation for protecting human rights. They make efforts to obtain visas and plane tickets to enter the country through air travel. However, this advantage excludes many vulnerable people who cannot access Canada’s asylum system due to the closing off of the land border.
As Canada grapples with the ongoing influx of asylum seekers, it must address the inequities in its system and find sustainable solutions to provide protection to those in need.
Reporting by Anna Mehler Paperny; Editing by Denny Thomas and Deepa Babington
Credit: The Star : News Feed
