Challenging Limits to Refugee Absorption in Canada

"Every day women, men and children -- come knocking at Canada's door seeking safe haven. [And every day] we push them back to the United States."
"The situation in the United States has gone from] bad to worse to far worse. The United States is not presently a safe country for many classes of refugee."
"Conditions have worsened substantially for refugee claimants in the United States. Much of that deterioration took place under President Obama. [But the] rate and scale of deterioration has increased dramatically [under Trump]."
Andrew Brouwer, refugee rights lawyer, Toronto

"Canada is not unique [in expressing a version of U.S. anti-refugee, anti-immigration and anti-Islam sentiments]."
"Canada might have been more protected from some of the trends we see in Europe or in the United States, for example, but recent events show that Canadians also react the same way to this kind of growing politicization of immigration."
Mireille Paquet, professor of political science, Concordia University and research chair on the politics of immigration

A family, claiming to be from Colombia, is arrested by RCMP officers as they cross the border into Canada from the United States as asylum seekers on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 near Champlain, NY. (Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press)

"Claimants are returned to a highly developed asylum system that grants protection to large numbers of persons every year, and is subject to both administrative and judicial checks and balances."
"Many of the concerns raised by the applicants have been limited by American courts or are still undergoing legal challenges, have no application to (Safe Third Country Agreement) returnees, and/or do not preclude access to protection."
Federal Court submission by lawyers for the Immigration and Public Safety ministries 

That the U.S. represents a safe country for refugees is being challenged by lawyers for Amnesty International, the Canadian Council for Refugees and the Canadian Council of Churches, appealing to the Federal Court of Canada to strike down the Canada/U.S. Safe Third Country Agreement, claiming the pact is in violation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It seems bizarre indeed that claims are being made that refugees' Charter Rights, a Canadian civil guarantee, is extended beyond the protection of Canadians to embrace people from foreign countries.

Both Canada and the United States pride themselves that their populations have traditionally been based on generous immigration numbers from abroad. Both countries have absorbed immigrants from all over the world, who make formal application to become landed immigrants and eventually citizens with all the fundamental rights and guarantees of citizenship, in return becoming loyal citizens privileged for their own economic and social advancement and in the process enriching their adopted nation.

Immigration selection is based on advantaging the accepting country while proffering advantages to those applicants whose status is judged commensurate with demands that they be able and willing to adapt to a new culture, the prevailing laws, and to the values and priorities advanced by the admitting country. Understandably, the level of education achieved, the employability of candidates, that they be trustworthy in the accuracy of application avowals, have no criminal record, and other significant indices are directly involved in acceptance as future citizens.

People learn that in their search to advantage themselves economically and seeking a better education and lifestyle for their children, they must be able to qualify. No country opens its borders to welcome all who wish to enter; every country has and must work within the guidelines that have been calibrated to effect entry and welcome for the greater benefit of the nation and the potential entrants. And no country likes to see its formal processes ignored, prepared to set aside required expectations of conformity to rules and regulations to please any who feel self entitled to enter. 

In recent years an influx of people from all corners of the world declaring themselves to be refugees entitled to be absorbed by the countries of their choice has overwhelmed the democratic-liberal Western nations of the world by the sheer numbers crushing formal process proceedings. Many are not genuine refugees fleeing oppression, poverty and conflict, but are haven seekers with a view to improving their economic situation. Those who claim a fear of persecution and retributive violence causing them to flee their countries of origin are genuine refugees.

  Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle, Quebec, Charles Krupa / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

"Irregular migration", or illegal entry by crossing borders from the United States into Canada to claim refugee status has seen tens of thousands of people bypassing legal entrance requirements in the knowledge that Canada will escort these 'irregulars' to where they may apply for status, and then be free to remain in Canada for years awaiting the outcome of their application, and if refused, take advantage of legal challenges giving them years more of tax-funded social programs such as free medical care and social housing and welfare. 

Unsurprisingly, a recent poll showed that 72 percent of Canadians feel Canada is accepting too many refugees and would prefer a lower intake of immigrants altogether. Surprisingly, among those voices are ethnic Canadians themselves formerly immigrants and refugees who feel that Canada is being flooded with a too-high number of people, taxing social welfare systems to the hilt, with benefits flowing to those awaiting results, and failing the aggregate needs of Canadian citizens.

Fleeing poverty and lack of opportunity, motivating many to acknowledge Canada's generous welfare system has its costs and consequences; there is only so much to go around; a slower, more gradual acceptance of people works to the benefit of all concerned. In the same token, there are ample numbers of Canadian citizens who live in financial insecurity requiring that whatever social welfare benefits are present are available for their succour. There is also violence taking place across the country victimizing many innocents; Canada is not that unique that what is common elsewhere does not also occur in Canada.

Opening Canada's borders to unrestricted entry by all who claim themselves to be refugees is not in the best interests of Canadians or of Canada at large. As it is, Canada accepts a third of a million immigrants -- aside from refugees -- on an annual basis, in an orderly, protracted manner. This challenge to Canada's right to choose whom it will accept is beyond frivolous and unnecessarily defiant of Canadian law, security and economic stability.

A girl originally from Congo and her family, who had been living in Portland, Maine, approach an unofficial border crossing with Canada, heading down Roxham Road in Champlain, N.Y., on Aug. 7, 2017. (Charles Krupa/The Associated Press)