This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/23/canada-rejecting-more-refugee-claims-amid-border-crossing-influx-under-trump

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Canada rejecting more refugee claims amid border-crossing increase under Trump Canada rejecting more refugee claims amid border-crossing increase under Trump
(1 day later)
Canada is rejecting more refugee claims from people who crossed its border illegally as Justin Trudeau’s government seeks to dissuade, block and turn back thousands more, according to new data obtained by Reuters.Canada is rejecting more refugee claims from people who crossed its border illegally as Justin Trudeau’s government seeks to dissuade, block and turn back thousands more, according to new data obtained by Reuters.
Forty percent of such border crossers whose claims were finalized in the first three months of this year were granted refugee status, down from 53% for all of 2017, according to data provided by Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Board. There were no claims finalized in the first three months of 2017.Forty percent of such border crossers whose claims were finalized in the first three months of this year were granted refugee status, down from 53% for all of 2017, according to data provided by Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Board. There were no claims finalized in the first three months of 2017.
More than 27,000 asylum seekers have walked across the Canada-US border since Donald Trump took office, some of whom have told Reuters they left the United States because of Trump’s policies and anti-immigrant rhetoric.More than 27,000 asylum seekers have walked across the Canada-US border since Donald Trump took office, some of whom have told Reuters they left the United States because of Trump’s policies and anti-immigrant rhetoric.
The influx has strained Canada’s backlogged system for assisting people seeking refugee status, leaving aid agencies scrambling to meet growing demand for housing and social services.The influx has strained Canada’s backlogged system for assisting people seeking refugee status, leaving aid agencies scrambling to meet growing demand for housing and social services.
The Immigration and Refugee Board said on Tuesday it has received no directives or guidance on how to deal with these border crossers.The Immigration and Refugee Board said on Tuesday it has received no directives or guidance on how to deal with these border crossers.
The government’s “first priority remains the safety and security of Canadians and the integrity of our immigration system”, said Ahmed Hussen, a spokesman for immigration and refugee minister, in an email. The government’s “first priority remains the safety and security of Canadians and the integrity of our immigration system”, a spokesman for Ahmed Hussen, Canada’s immigration and refugee minister, said in an email.
The wave of border crossings started up in January 2017 and ramped up over the summer as many Haitian immigrants in the United States who were at risk of losing their temporary legal status streamed into Canada on expectations they could find a safe haven. In the months since, thousands of Nigerians have made the same crossing.The wave of border crossings started up in January 2017 and ramped up over the summer as many Haitian immigrants in the United States who were at risk of losing their temporary legal status streamed into Canada on expectations they could find a safe haven. In the months since, thousands of Nigerians have made the same crossing.
Officials have said they believe that more than 90% of those entering Canada do not meet the criteria to be considered refugees.Officials have said they believe that more than 90% of those entering Canada do not meet the criteria to be considered refugees.
Trudeau’s government has sought to stem the influx by amending a US-Canadian border pact that turns back asylum seekers at border crossings, but allows immigrants who enter the country outside of an official border crossing to apply for refugee status.Trudeau’s government has sought to stem the influx by amending a US-Canadian border pact that turns back asylum seekers at border crossings, but allows immigrants who enter the country outside of an official border crossing to apply for refugee status.
Canada sent its immigration and refugee minister to Nigeria, asking the Nigerian government to help discourage its citizens from crossing into Canada, and asking the United States to deny visas to people who might then go to Canada.Canada sent its immigration and refugee minister to Nigeria, asking the Nigerian government to help discourage its citizens from crossing into Canada, and asking the United States to deny visas to people who might then go to Canada.
Immigration and Refugee Board data shows that while only a small number of border-crosser claims have been processed, acceptance rates are down for all groups seeking refugee status. The success rate is especially low for Haitians and Nigerians, with overall acceptance rates of 9% and 33.5%, respectively.Immigration and Refugee Board data shows that while only a small number of border-crosser claims have been processed, acceptance rates are down for all groups seeking refugee status. The success rate is especially low for Haitians and Nigerians, with overall acceptance rates of 9% and 33.5%, respectively.
• This article was amended on 24 May 2018 to clarify that Ahmed Hussen is Canada’s immigration and refugee minister, and that an email was sent by a spokesman for him.
CanadaCanada
US immigrationUS immigration
Justin TrudeauJustin Trudeau
Donald TrumpDonald Trump
AmericasAmericas
RefugeesRefugees
newsnews
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on Google+Share on Google+
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
Reuse this contentReuse this content