Canada bracing for possible influx of asylum claimants after Trump immigration orders

Canadian refugee advocates, federal government departments, and immigration lawyers are bracing themselves for a potential influx of asylum claimants following U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders. The uncertainty surrounding the impact of these orders has left many in the immigration community feeling uneasy and unprepared.

Gabriela Ramo, past chair of the Canadian Bar Association’s immigration section, expressed the difficulty in predicting the outcomes of Trump’s actions, stating that “with Trump, crystal balls are hard to keep clear.” She highlighted the potential consequences of Trump’s executive orders, which include ending birthright citizenship, increasing border security, tightening enforcement of immigration laws, suspending the U.S. refugee assistance program, and recognizing only male and female gender identities.

Aleks Dughman Manzur, co-executive director of the Rainbow Refugee Society, noted that Canadian organizations assisting LGBTQ refugees have seen a significant increase in inquiries since Trump’s re-election. Many fear the impact of Trump’s policies on LGBTQ individuals and are considering claiming refugee status in Canada as a result.

However, the Safe Third Country Agreement between Canada and the U.S. complicates the process for those without American citizenship or who are undocumented. While American citizens can travel to Canada and claim refugee status, others risk being turned back to the U.S. if they attempt to claim asylum at a regular border crossing. This has led some to consider crossing into Canada undetected and remaining in hiding for 14 days to claim asylum without being returned to the U.S.

In response to the potential influx of asylum seekers, the Canadian government has allocated $1.3 billion to improve border security, with a focus on the RCMP and CBSA. Sgt. Charles Poirier of the RCMP’s Eastern region stated that they are prepared for any increase in border crossings, while Rebecca Purdy of the CBSA emphasized the agency’s collaboration with Canadian and American law enforcement partners to maintain operations.

Despite these preparations, Mark Weber, president of the Customs and Immigration Union, expressed concerns about the readiness of border officers to handle a surge in asylum seekers. He raised issues around understaffing and the need for additional resources to effectively process claims at ports of entry.

As the immigration community in Canada braces for potential changes in asylum claims, the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s executive orders continues to loom large. While the government remains vigilant and prepared for any scenario, the true impact of these policies on refugee claimants remains to be seen.