Canada's Efforts to Dispel Future Illegal Immigration Waves

Updated: Feb 04, 2018 | Tags: Canada eTA, Canada Visa, Canada Immigration, Canada Entry Requirements

Introduction

While the United States is cracking down on illegal immigration and President Trump is taking a hard stance against anyone trying to cross the border without due authorization, the Canadian government harbors fears that this could have an impact on Canada immigration. Their concern is that illegal immigrants living in the U.S. could try to cross the border into Canada looking for refuge.

Illegal Immigration Figures for 2017

In the 12 months of 2017, over 13,000 people came over the border into Canada without authorization. These figures have been released by the Canadian government and show a big increase on the previous year's figures. In 2016, this number was 5 times lower, according to the figures on illegal interceptions provided by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

The 2017 influx lead to a hard-to-manage situation, with huge backlogs and refugees trying to claim asylum. This is a situation that the Canadian government is keen to avoid in 2018. Officials are currently on high alert, given the Trump administration's announcement that they will be terminating the temporary protection given to around 200,000 Salvadoran immigrants who are currently in the U.S in 2019.

Pablo Rodriguez gets involved

Speaking on the subject, Canadian Parliment member Pablo Rodriguez announced to an American newspaper that people shouldn't expect to simply enter Canada and stay in the country for evermore. He also stressed that the government was taking every measure to prevent a humanitarian crisis on the Canadian border or anywhere else in the country.

Already in 2018, over 13,000 people from far-flung corners of the globe have entered Canada from the U.S. without a Canada visa or Canada ETA, making them illegal immigrants. Interestingly, Rodriquez is himself an immigrant who originally sought political asylum in Canada from Argentina. Prime Minister Trudeau has recently sent him along with other officials to the U.S. to lay to rest any incorrect information concerning access to Canada for asylum purposes.

Rodriguez recently gave a speech in California to immigration rights leaders and attorneys, stating that Canada welcomes all legal immigrants and refugees. He went on to say that honesty and transparency were needed and that although Canada is an open and welcoming country, it has rules that apply for immigration and these must be followed. The Rodriguez message didn't appear to differ too much from the hardline immigration rhetoric that has come from the Trump administration over the last 12 months. However, the difference is that Canada immigration is seen as more liberal and more welcoming to immigrants.

Changing the perception of Canadian Immigration

People's perception of Canada's stance on immigration may be shifting. Following one of President Trump's 2017 travel ban orders, Prime Minister Trudeau said in a tweet that Canada would welcome anyone fleeing persecution, war and terror, irrespective of their faith. However, when the refugee crisis hit in the summer of 2017, Trudeau was using stronger language about following proper processes for orderly immigration.

Many officials believe that Canada could use alternative routes for those seeking asylum in order to help people stay legally in the country. People who don't qualify for asylum are currently able to use various processes for appeal and other legal solutions, for example seeking Canadian resident status for humanitarian or compassionate reasons. These are viable solutions that many asylum seekers are using to enter Canada. To kick-start the process, they need to understand how the Canadian immigration system works and receive backing from a good attorney. These individuals may have had their asylum claims turned down and, in some cases, may be awaiting deportation.

Canadian Visas and ETAs

Obtaining an official Canada Visa or Canada ETA is an official and authorized way to enter Canada. At present, processing times are swift for eligible applicants, although not everyone is able to apply to enter Canada under this short-term and temporary route. However, these routes are still popular and viable with those seeking to spend time in Canada for a wide variety of reasons.

When it comes to entering Canada by legal means, it's important for individuals to understand the facts and to reach their decision based on correct information. Officials stress that this is the route that anyone should take before leaving their job and uprooting children to turn up at the Canadian border in the hope of being granted permission to remain in the country indefinitely.

Rodriguez has backed up Trudeau's firmer immigration stance by saying that those who don't qualify will face being returned to their homeland. If they have come from the U.S. they may not be allowed to reenter the country, having lost their status, which is obviously an undesirable situation. Therefore, anyone seeking to enter Canada should do so by official channels only.