September 25, 2018 – Canada saw another increase in the number of border crossers from the U.S. claiming asylum in August, newly-released figures show.
The month saw 1,747 asylum seekers cross the border between recognized points of entry and get picked up by the RCMP.
Although the number is a third consecutive monthly increase, it remains lower than the 2018 monthly high of 2,560 in April.
It is also significantly lower than the August 2017 total of 5,712, coming at the peak of the surge in border crossers that threatened to overwhelm the Canada system.
Source: Government of Canada
Quebec continues to accept the overwhelming majority of border crossers, its total dwarfing all of the other provinces with land U.S. borders.
The vast majority enter Quebec via an unofficial crossing point in Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle.
Of the 2018 total of 14,125 irregular border crossers, 13,479 of them have crossed into Quebec, representing more than 95 per cent.
The province with the second most interceptions is British Columbia, at just 329.
Source: Government of Canada
Why Are Migrants Crossing the Border from U.S. To Canada?
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government has come under increased pressure over its handling of the problem.
Federal government officials have refused to call it a crisis, despite numbers remaining significantly higher than historical norms.
The original 2017 surge in irregular border crossing came after Trump began his crackdown on migrants with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in the U.S.
Trump’s recent move to separate children from their parents has led to renewed calls for Canada to suspend the Safe Third Country Agreement.
Read More
Continued Fall In Numbers Crossing Canada Border To Claim Asylum
Quebec and Federal Officials Reach Agreement Over Rising Asylum Seeker Numbers
Canada 2017 Asylum Claim Numbers Break Two-Decade Record
The Safe Third Country Agreement means asylum seekers who arrive at an official Canada border point from the U.S. are turned away, as both countries are considered safe for refugees.
However, if migrants cross the border at an unrecognized point, they are arrested and enter the Canadian asylum system.
Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act requires the countries considered ‘safe’ to be continually reviewed.
Immigration.ca Managing Partner Colin Singer was recently interviewed on CBC News on the asylum seeker issue. Watch the video here:
How Can Canada Stop Asylum Seekers Crossing Border?
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