Canadian authorities have returned more than 1,600 asylum seekers to the United States in 2025 without hearing their case for refugee protection, according to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Many have landed in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.
Oh, Canada. How could you?
The removals are a product of the longstanding Safe Third Country Agreement, which requires anyone seeking refugee protection in Canada or the U.S. to claim asylum in the first of the two countries they reach.
I understand why they’ve had that agreement. However, it should’ve been obvious for some time now that maybe that’s an agreement they should bin? It’s blatantly obvious the us don’t treat refugees/asylum seekers the way they deserve at the moment
Yep. Politicians and the kind of people that hang out with politicians seem to be behind the curve on understanding what’s happening, but even they must know this by now. The trick is that rolling it back could provoke Trump, and they’re trying to keep that to a minimum at the moment.
That being said, if Carney doesn’t fix the rules within the next year I’m going to be very disappointed. The courts will probably strike it down eventually regardless.
Folks have been suing the gov about the Safe Third a country agreement since 2005 - opposition isn’t new. And yes, the courts did strike it down but the gov appealed, and it’s still under review.
The govs website about the agreement even includes a section on why the US is considered a safe country.
I think assuming they are ‘behind the curve’ is … generous.
I mean, in 2005 the US was a lot closer to Canada on multiple fronts when it comes to human rights. I’m kind of surprised that the court sided with the challengers - and not at all surprised the decision was successfully appealed in 2009, which you probably should mention.
going to be very disappointed
What’s that look like? We don’t vote Red because we like all the policies, but because the only alternative capable of pulling even a minority would be Trump levels of disastrous for us all.
So, would “disappointment” just be a harder grimace while continuing to vote to block the blue?
Legislation takes time to change when you don’t ha e a king passing edicts from the throne.
True, but I’m wondering if they’re even aware of the problem or want to fix it.
Oh, they are very aware. The STCA has been before the courts a few times. You can read about it here: https://ccrweb.ca/en/safe-third-country
They’re actually trying to make it even harder for migrants and refugees with the introduction of Bill C-2, while pandering to the US.
Anandasangaree said Tuesday that Bill C-2 was drafted to contain “elements that will strengthen the relationship” between Canada and the U.S.
“There are a number of items in the bill that have been irritants for the U.S. so we are addressing some of those issues,” he said. “But it’s not exclusively about the United States.” CBC
It’s a bill to not only make seeking refugee status more difficult, but also remove privacy protections for all canadians.
During a technical briefing for reporters, a senior government official said that the changes were meant to improve police and intelligence agencies’ ability to apply for warrants to collect digital evidence following a series of court rulings that significantly hampered it. Article content
It would also increase the Canada Border Services Agency’s (CBSA) ability to search containers exiting the country by obligating transporters and warehouse operators to provide site access to border agents for export inspections. National post (I know…)
There’s lots of migrants rights groups speaking out against the bill: e.g. Migrants Rights Network
No extraditions to USA should be allowed going forward.
