Canada Deporting Some Asylum Seekers from Quebec
Canada will be deporting more migrants, as an increasing number of asylum seekers from the U.S. is straining Canada’s immigration system, according to the Canada Border Services Agency.
The deportation of Mexicans who came to Canada in great numbers, after amendments to Visa requirements was lifted in December was 66 percent higher in the first eight months of 2017, than all of 2016, according to the Canada Border Services Agency.
The number of Haitians trying to avoid deportation from the U.S., who have illegally crossed into Canada, has also climbed. To date, Canada has deported 474 Haitians. This in compared to only 100 deported last year, according to the Canada Border Services Agency.
A total of 5529 people have been deported to date, and 7357 people were deported in 2016 from Canada, according to the Canada Border Services Agency.
Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Board remains critical of the increasing rise of asylum-seekers through the U.S. Boarder calling it, “Unsustainable,” Global News reports.
Nahomie Acelin, works for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and is an evangelical speaker, she says, “The political speech used tries to refrain from saying it’s a crisis. They don’t want to render a panic among the public.”
Acelin, a Haitian born Canadian says she sympathizes with the desperate Haitians seeking asylum in Canada, “They are looking for a better life for themselves, and their families.”
Acelin adds, however, that it becomes an issue politically when it comes to managing asylum seekers, “What is unique with Haitians, when we compare it to Syrian refugees, is that with Syrian refugees we could clearly see they were refugees from Syria,” she said.
“But in this case, for Haitians it’s not as clear cut. Not everyone seeking asylum are refugees. Every case must be handled separately. It is quite a dilemma,” adds Acelin.
Canada will be giving asylum seekers who cross into Canada quicker access to healthcare. In addition, they will also be granted eligibility for work permits sooner. This, of course, only becomes a reality once claims have been processed, which can take weeks, or even months.
“The strategy is that we don’t want to create ‘tent’ communities, where people are very concentrated throughout different areas within Quebec. The faster we get people working, and into a better financial reality, will allow them to get settled, until we can give them status. It gives opportunity and time for different asylum seekers to get lodging, and get their kids to school. It is better for the city,” said Acelin.
Quebec’s provincial government will be handing out welfare cheques to thousands of asylum seekers, starting next week, Simon Laboissonniere, a spokesperson for Quebec’s employment minister says.
About 4000 people will receive funds covering the month of September. Minimum monthly payment will be $623. There may be additional monies given depending on the person’s family status.
More than 10,000 refugee claimants have entered Canada from the U.S. this year so far. Thirty-eight hundred by way of Quebec, in the first couple of weeks of August alone, according to the Canada Border Services Agency.
The majority are hoping for entry by way of an unofficial crossing point between Quebec and New York State.
Acelin sees the situation Canada is currently facing as an opportunity for the church to shine.
“I think this is a great opportunity for Canada and for the church. It is an opportunity to help those in need. It’s time for the church to rise, and allow Haitians to see that although things may be uncertain, God still provides. This is an example of the church playing a part in the lives of people. This is an opportunity for the church to rise and show a heart of compassion for those in need,” Acelin said.
Context continues to follow this story and will have more in the coming weeks.
