Canada is set to tighten its rules on asylum seekers as thousands of international students rush to file refugee claims. The government has launched an online campaign warning potential applicants that getting asylum in Canada is difficult, while officials promise to overhaul the refugee system.
According to recent IRCC data, international students filed over 13,600 asylum claims between January and September 2024, surpassing the nearly 12,000 claims made in all of 2023. This marks a dramatic increase from just 1,810 claims in 2018.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller has expressed serious concerns about the legitimacy of many of these applications. “We often see these claims filed within the first year, sometimes for less valid reasons, such as lowering tuition fees to domestic rates. There’s opportunism at play, and it’s being exploited,” Miller stated.
Online Advertisement Campaign
In response to these challenges, the Canadian government has launched a C$250,000 (US$179,000) global online advertising campaign, running through March 2024 in 11 languages, including Spanish, Urdu, Ukrainian, Hindi, and Tamil. The campaign’s message is direct: “Claiming asylum in Canada is not easy. There are strict guidelines to qualify.”
The surge in applications has created significant processing backlogs, with more than 260,000 claims pending as of October 2024. Ontario institutions have seen particularly high numbers, with Conestoga College (520), Seneca College (490), and Niagara College (410) recording the most asylum seekers in 2024.
Immigration consultant Keshav Sharma cautions that the rise in applications is putting pressure on the system. “Extended processing times may occur because of the heightened workload on immigration officials, leading to delays in applicant decision-making,” he clarified.
Why These Changes Are Needed?
The government’s concerns extend to potential fraud in the application process. Miller has written to the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) about reports of third parties counselling students to provide false information in their asylum applications. The IRCC has already identified over 10,000 potentially fraudulent acceptance letters through its verification process over the past year.
AVOID RISK AND STRENGTHEN YOUR APPLICATION
Impact of the New Fast-Track Refusals for Asylum Seekers
These developments come as Canada moves to reduce its overall immigration numbers, with study permits expected to drop by nearly 50% this year. The government has already reduced the international study permit target by 10% from the 2024 target of 485,000.
Miller has indicated plans for broader reforms to the asylum system, potentially including measures to fast-track refusals for cases deemed to have little chance of success. However, legal experts, including University of Toronto law professor Audrey Macklin, warn that such measures could face legal challenges for potentially violating asylum-seekers’ right to due process.
The IRCC spokesperson emphasized that the department is working to combat misinformation about Canada’s immigration system and highlight the risks of working with unauthorized representatives. “Under the law, anyone seeking asylum in Canada is entitled to have the eligibility of their claim assessed. However, there is no guarantee that a claimant will be granted protection and allowed to stay in Canada,” the spokesperson stated.
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These sudden changes in Canadian immigration reflect growing domestic pressure, as polls indicate increasing public concern about immigration levels, with many Canadians believing the country admits too many newcomers. The government’s response marks a notable departure from Canada’s traditional reputation as one of the world’s most welcoming countries for refugees and immigrants.
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