Canada frets over possible huge surge in asylum-seekers - sources

[webfact]

Canada frets over possible huge surge in asylum-seekers - sources

By David Ljunggren

 

A group of asylum seekers wait to be processed after being escorted from their tent encampment to the CanadaBorder Services in Lacolle, Quebec,Canada August 11, 2017. REUTERS/Christinne Muschi

 

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada fears a huge surge in asylum seekers crossing the border from the United States, putting political pressure on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ahead of a 2019 election, sources familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

 

The number of migrants illegally entering Canada more than tripled in July and August, hitting nearly 7,000. Haitians, who face looming deportation from the United States when their temporary protected status expires in January 2018, accounted for much of the inflow.

 

Two sources familiar with Canadian government thinking said citizens from El Salvador, Nicaragua and Honduras, who are slated to lose their U.S. protected status in early 2018, may also head north.

 

"There is concern we'll see a huge increase, mostly from Central America," said one source.

 

"The question is, which group is next, and how are we going to deal with it, and what is the impact on Canadians?" added the source, who requested anonymity given the sensitivity of the situation.

 

Most new arrivals are going to the predominantly French-speaking province of Quebec, sparking protests from opposition politicians and anti-immigrant groups.

 

Trudeau's Liberals need to gain support in Quebec to offset expected losses elsewhere ahead of an October 2019 election.

 

Asked whether the Liberals were worried about losing popularity in Quebec, the source said: "Absolutely. That's a concern."

 

But if Trudeau clamps down too far, he risks tarnishing a long-cultivated reputation for openness and tolerance. He pointedly tweeted Canada's welcome of refugees after U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled a travel ban in January.

 

"The government is in a real quandary over this," said a third source familiar with official thinking.

 

Ottawa has hardened its tone in recent days, warning people not to cross the border since they could well be deported.

Trudeau said Canada was enforcing immigration rules.

 

"We are an open and welcoming country because citizens have confidence in our immigration and refugee system and we have been able to continue to defend and protect the integrity of that system," he told reporters in Montreal on Wednesday.

 

He also said Ottawa might accelerate the process of issuing work permits for asylum seekers rather than make them wait for refugee claims to be processed, which now takes several months.

 

Leger Marketing pollster Christian Bourque said there were no immediate signs that support in Quebec for Trudeau was weakening.

 

"I think that changes if people do not perceive the government is taking a strong stand," he said.

 

A Reuters poll in March found nearly half of Canadians want to deport people who are illegally crossing from the United States.

 

A Haitian-Canadian Liberal legislator is due to visit Miami on Thursday, home to a large expatriate community, in a bid to persuade people to stay put. Officials complain false stories are circulating about how easy it is to be granted permission to stay in Canada.

 

Some of the Haitians are in temporary housing, including Montreal's Olympic Stadium and at least two tent camps near the border.

 

Critics accuse Trudeau of encouraging would-be refugees to come to Canada without thinking through the consequences.

 

(Additional reporting by Anna Mehler Paperny in Toronto; Editing by Sandra Maler)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-08-24

[dick dasterdly]

Early days for the Canadians....

[thehelmsman]

Open your loving arms Canada. I posted about this last week and was called a lair by our residents here on TV.

[canuckamuck]

The Canadians are way behind in the cultural destruction initiative. We had a Prime Minister (Harper) who was nobody's puppet for a long time. But now we have globalist minion, Trudeau, on board. I am sure that the peaceful communities of Canada will soon be forced to deal with heavy racial tension and cultural angst. So we can be divided into angry factions like the Americans are. Canada is perhaps the least racist nation there is, due to the fact that almost all of us come from somewhere else in the last few generations. We were a mosaic that worked. Maybe because we hold empathy and manners in high esteem.

But the whole world is going crazy, hyped up by a media intent on sowing division. And the treasonous open immigration policies which are all the rage. Nationalism made the western civilizations unified and great, now it is considered racist. Upside down, like everything else lately.

 

[Jingthing]

8 minutes ago, canuckamuck said:

The Canadians are way behind in the cultural destruction initiative. We had a Prime Minister (Harper) who was nobody's puppet for a long time. But now we have globalist minion, Trudeau, on board. I am sure that the peaceful communities of Canada will soon be forced to deal with heavy racial tension and cultural angst. So we can be divided into angry factions like the Americans are. Canada is perhaps the least racist nation there is, due to the fact that almost all of us come from somewhere else in the last few generations. We were a mosaic that worked. Maybe because we hold empathy and manners in high esteem.

But the whole world is going crazy, hyped up by a media intent on sowing division. And the treasonous open immigration policies which are all the rage. Nationalism made the western civilizations unified and great, now it is considered racist. Upside down, like everything else lately.

 

So if Trudeau is a "globalist minion" , who is his "globalist" boss? Hmm? 

[LazySlipper]

Good choice for migrants to go to Canada, after all we have a, " hire the visible minority progressive policy" in place. By issuing the work permits in an expedited way they are just going to make sure that 4-5th generation Canadians will be heading for the welfare queue as has been the practice for decades.

 

I hope Trudeau does piss off Quebec because Quebec is the swing province that almost guarantees who will be elected. Trudeau has been doing nothing but destroying Canada while maintaining a "popular pretty boy" image. Hate the guy.

[Inepto Cracy]

Canada better start installing under the groundsurface heaters for winter time. These folks, refugees or whatever else they call themselves, arn't used to snow / ice and freezing temperatures. Start warming up folks.

Edited August 24, 2017 by Inepto Cracy
spacing

[losworld]

2 hours ago, canuckamuck said:

The Canadians are way behind in the cultural destruction initiative. We had a Prime Minister (Harper) who was nobody's puppet for a long time. But now we have globalist minion, Trudeau, on board. I am sure that the peaceful communities of Canada will soon be forced to deal with heavy racial tension and cultural angst. So we can be divided into angry factions like the Americans are. Canada is perhaps the least racist nation there is, due to the fact that almost all of us come from somewhere else in the last few generations. We were a mosaic that worked. Maybe because we hold empathy and manners in high esteem.

But the whole world is going crazy, hyped up by a media intent on sowing division. And the treasonous open immigration policies which are all the rage. Nationalism made the western civilizations unified and great, now it is considered racist. Upside down, like everything else lately.

 

agreed and disagreed canada is very racist toward its native population but canadians are quick to label americans as racist when they have problems... 

[canuckamuck]

2 hours ago, Jingthing said:

So if Trudeau is a "globalist minion" , who is his "globalist" boss? Hmm? 

Mammon

[habanero]

Well, the shoe is on the other foot. Let's see how many the Canadians try to turn back.  

[Jingthing]

32 minutes ago, canuckamuck said:

Mammon

Yeah, sure thing. Money is bad. I'm sure that's what most Canadians think. Such a spiritual nation. 

[PeCeDe]

Canadians for the most part are a fair and considerate bunch, but they do abide by UN definitions of refugee, that is there are three types, 1) Within birth country refugees, 2) Out of birth country refugees, and 3) Those who have a well founded fear.  All 3 are faced with dire consequences of death or significant mistreatment were they to stay in their country of birth or current situation. Those are the people Canada seeks to help and not so called "economic refugees."

 

Most Haiti refugees, although I feel for them, do not risk death or mistreatment if they return home. In fact they most definitely should return home and begin the journey of helping their Country back on it's feet, not look for a free ride from Canada, ditching their Brothers and Sisters in the process.

 

If history repeats itself in Canada, most economic refugees will be sent back to their Country of origin, thus allowing a place for those who really need Canada's help.

[lungbing]

Does well-founded fear include those having a well-founded fear of having to work?

[johnarth]

4 hours ago, canuckamuck said:

The Canadians are way behind in the cultural destruction initiative. We had a Prime Minister (Harper) who was nobody's puppet for a long time. But now we have globalist minion, Trudeau, on board. I am sure that the peaceful communities of Canada will soon be forced to deal with heavy racial tension and cultural angst. So we can be divided into angry factions like the Americans are. Canada is perhaps the least racist nation there is, due to the fact that almost all of us come from somewhere else in the last few generations. We were a mosaic that worked. Maybe because we hold empathy and manners in high esteem.

But the whole world is going crazy, hyped up by a media intent on sowing division. And the treasonous open immigration policies which are all the rage. Nationalism made the western civilizations unified and great, now it is considered racist. Upside down, like everything else lately.

 

not so the Muslim countries they have got rid of millions and no body is trying to take their place

[PeCeDe]

10 minutes ago, lungbing said:

Does well-founded fear include those having a well-founded fear of having to work?

No, well founded fear would include someone like a news reporter in XYZ country, who rightly fears imprisonment or even execution because they report the situation the way it is. What you refer to is economic refugee who do not have any fear other than what you say. Most Haitians are economic and have no standing with the UN, probably Canada will either send them back to the US or Haiti.

[Si Thea01]

The male version of Merkel. Reap what you sow.  What a clown, my sympathies to the Canadians. 

[Scott]

2 hours ago, PeCeDe said:

No, well founded fear would include someone like a news reporter in XYZ country, who rightly fears imprisonment or even execution because they report the situation the way it is. What you refer to is economic refugee who do not have any fear other than what you say. Most Haitians are economic and have no standing with the UN, probably Canada will either send them back to the US or Haiti.

They can't be sent back to the US.   They are not US citizens.   Once they step foot out of the US, there is a good chance they will not be re-admitted.    The only way for them to get into the US is to sneak back across the border.  

[PeCeDe]

12 minutes ago, Scott said:

They can't be sent back to the US.   They are not US citizens.   Once they step foot out of the US, there is a good chance they will not be re-admitted.    The only way for them to get into the US is to sneak back across the border.  

Not sure if that's true, they were invited to the US after Haiti's earthquake and at this point were fully legal in the USA, but you could be correct and the States will wash their hands of them. The fact remains they are illegal in Canada and do not have the same rights as UN declared refugees. What Canada does with them is of course up to Canada, but I do know Canada has a record of shipping illegals back to their countries of origin. The real pity is they are using resources intended for people in genuine life or death situations.

[Scott]

30 minutes ago, PeCeDe said:

Not sure if that's true, they were invited to the US after Haiti's earthquake and at this point were fully legal in the USA, but you could be correct and the States will wash their hands of them. The fact remains they are illegal in Canada and do not have the same rights as UN declared refugees. What Canada does with them is of course up to Canada, but I do know Canada has a record of shipping illegals back to their countries of origin. The real pity is they are using resources intended for people in genuine life or death situations.

That's an interesting point.   If they have a valid visa that allows them to leave and re-enter, they could be readmitted to the US.   I suspect that once they leave, though, the visa would be invalid, in most cases.   

 

If they are presented at the border with a valid visa, it will be up to the border officials to decide if they could enter.   If it appeared that they were being forced, I suspect they would be refused.

 

It's a good situation for agreements to be made between the US and Canada as to how to handle situations such as these.   In the past, there were people who were illegally in Canada and when the heat was on, they crossed (illegally) into the US.   I don't think it was common, but it did happen in an area where I lived, which was just a few miles from a border crossing and in an area where crossing illegally used to be  common (old bootlegger trails made crossing easy.   Of course the security is a lot tighter, but it is still not difficult with Native people and Heugenots crossing at night after the border is officially closed.     

[PeCeDe]

19 minutes ago, Scott said:

 

It's a good situation for agreements to be made between the US and Canada as to how to handle situations such as these.   In the past, there were people who were illegally in Canada and when the heat was on, they crossed (illegally) into the US.   

It is a stated aim to harmonize immigration policies on both sides of the border and it's mostly handled under the current NAFTA agreement. Difficult to see much more being done at this time given the diametrically opposed attitudes of the two Governments. For example criminal records are available to border IO's on both sides of the border, this has given much heart burn to people convicted of DUI's and other Federal offences which are an automatic reason for refused entry to each country. I agree Illegal Immigration should and could be handled in a uniform manner, however at present it appears unlikely. The Haitian problem is something caused by the US but Canada is probably left holding the bag. I sincerely hope Canada does the right thing and sends them back to either the US or Haiti. If someone wants to enter Canada or the US they should do it legally, there are plenty of ways it can be done.  You and I both are in Thailand legally and jump through hoops to stay legal, why should someone be able to jump the queue.

[hdkane]

Trudeau and many Canadians came across as rather smug and virtue signaling a while back...guess attitudes change when reality comes knocking...