A Third or More of Refugee Claims Were by Mexicans at Montreal, Calgary Airports in Last Five Years: Records

In the Last Five Years, Mexican Nationals Accounted for Over a Third of Refugee Claims at Montreal and Calgary Airports: Records

April 7, 2024 TruthUSA

Mexican travellers accounted for a third or more of refugee claims made at airports in Montreal and Calgary over the last five years, according to new data from Canada’s Immigration Department. The release of the figures followed cabinet’s announcement a few weeks earlier to renew visa requirements for Mexican visitors.

From 2019 to 2023, Mexicans represented 46 percent of refugee claims made at the Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport and 31 percent of such claims at the Calgary International Airport, as per records tabled in the House of Commons on March 18.

The percentages were calculated based on a total of 49,799 claimants in Montreal, with 23,058 being Mexicans, and a total of 1,806 claimants in Calgary, with 555 being Mexicans, as reported by Blacklock’s Reporter.

The figures were disclosed in response to a Jan. 29 inquiry submitted by Tory MP Larry Maguire, who asked for the number of refugee claims made at points of entries at Canadian airports for each of the last five years—broken down by airport, “country of persecution,” and country of citizenship. He also wanted to know the status of the claims.

The proportions were lower at the Toronto Pearson International Airport, with about 13 percent of total claimants coming from Mexico (4,741 out of 37,207 claimants), and at the Vancouver International Airport, with about 12 percent (838 out of 7,284 claimants).

‘Breaking Point’

Immigration Minister Marc Miller had acknowledged a significant spike in asylum claims from Mexico and announced the restoration of visa requirements for Mexican visitors coming to Canada by air unless they meet certain criteria that make them visa-exempt and eligible to apply for an electronic travel authorization (eTA) instead.

“We needed to give Mexico, because of our friendship, the chance to rectify things,” Mr. Miller said at a press conference. “This clearly was not done, so we had to take a decision.”

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) data shows a dramatic increase in asylum claims from Mexico after the Trudeau Liberals lifted the visa requirement for Mexican visitors in 2016.

“Asylum claims made by Mexican citizens reached a record high in 2023 at a time when Canada’s asylum system, housing, and social services were already under significant pressure,” an IRCC news release said.

In 2023 alone, asylum claims from Mexican citizens accounted for 17 percent of all claims made that year.

The government’s announcement came amid concerns raised by Quebec Premier François Legault regarding the influx of asylum seekers into his province. Mr. Legault wrote to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in January saying the situation was nearing a “breaking point.”

“Do you regret not doing it earlier,” a reporter asked Mr. Miller at the press conference.

“We have been examining these measures for months,” the minister replied.

“[R]educed asylum claims cost savings, as well as a reduction of primary inspection line activities at Canadian ports of entry and inland enforcement savings,” accounted for the figure, IRCC said.

The statement also noted that visas are an effective tool in managing migration.

‘Integrity of the System’

The previous Conservative cabinet introduced the visa requirement in 2009 when asylum claims reached 9,511 that year. While announcing the lifting of visa rules for Mexican visitors in 2016, Mr. Trudeau said it will benefit both countries.

“This move will make it easier for our Mexican friends to visit Canada, while growing our local economies and strengthening our communities,” he said at a press conference at the time.

When asked by reporters this year if the reinstatement was a “complete reversal” of the Liberal government’s immigration policy, Mr. Miller replied “not at all.”

“Since the beginning of 2015, the impression has been that the Liberal government has just flung the doors wide open. That’s not true. We’ve always supported the integrity of the system.”

Matthew Horwood and The Canadian Press contributed to this report.

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