Canada to Reinstate Visas for Mexican Nationals After Spike in Asylum Claims Sarah Ritchie - The Canadian Press
go to original February 29, 2024

What Canada's new visa requirements mean for Mexican nationals (CBC News)

Update: Mexico ‘Regrets’ Canada’s Decision to Tighten Entry Requirements (Mexico News Daily)

New visa requirements Ottawa is imposing on people traveling from Mexico are meant to curb the number of asylum claims in Canada as well as stem the flow of people crossing into the United States, Immigration Minister Marc Miller said Thursday.

The changes take effect as of 11:30 p.m. ET Thursday in an effort to ensure people don’t “game the system,” Miller said.

Though the minister emphasized a close relationship with Canada’s North American ally, the Mexican government responded curtly, saying it “reserves the right to act in reciprocity.”

Quebec Premier François Legault had been urging Ottawa to reimpose visa requirements, telling the federal government his province is reaching a breaking point because of the number of people claiming asylum.

Miller said Mexican nationals accounted for 17 per cent of all asylum claimants in 2023.

“Most asylum claims from Mexico are either rejected by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada or withdrawn or abandoned by the applicant, and so a change was needed,” he said.

The vast majority of the 25,236 asylum claims received by the Immigration and Refugee Board from Mexico last year have not been decided.

Of the decided cases, 2,894 were accepted and 2,424 were rejected. Another 560 people abandoned their claims and 1,240 withdrew.

The IRB said more than 28,000 asylum claims from Mexico were still pending as of the end of December, including claims made in previous years.

Miller said another key concern for his government is that some people are traveling to Canada so that they can cross into the United States.

Read the rest at The Canadian Press

Related: If I Have a Visa, Do I Need an ETA Permit to Enter Canada if I Am Mexican? (SoyNomada)

Related: Canada Will Reimpose Some Visa Requirements on Mexicans, Official Says (Associated Press)

Related: Mexican Visa Awakens Canada's Sex Tourism Discussion (ContraReplica)

Related: The Truth About Illegal Immigration and Crime (WAPO)

Related: US, Mexico and Guatemala Pledge to Deepen Cooperation on Illegal Migration (CNN)

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