Asylum Claims Surge Prompts Canada to Reinstate Visa Rules for Mexicans

Canada has reintroduced visa requirements for Mexican citizens due to a massive increase in asylum claims from Mexico in recent years. The move aims to curb the rising number of applications that have strained government resources.

Canada removed visa requirements for Mexican citizens in 2016 to strengthen bilateral relations. However, in the years since, asylum claims from Mexican nationals skyrocketed from just 260 to nearly 24,000 – a surge of over 9000%. This influx has placed significant pressure on services in Quebec province, where around a quarter of asylum claims originate from Mexican applicants.

With numbers continuing to climb rapidly, Quebec Premier Francois Legault pleaded with Ottawa for emergency funding, stating that the situation had reached a “breaking point”. In response, Immigration Minister Marc Miller acknowledged the overwhelming impact and reestablished visa rules for Mexican travelers. “Mexico is and will remain an important partner,” he asserted, while also noting discussions with their government on the change.

Exemptions for Work and Study Visa Holders

The new restrictions will not affect Mexicans who currently hold valid work or study permits in other countries like the United States. However, all other Mexican citizens must now obtain a visa prior to entering Canada. An electronic travel authorization program will be implemented for those who previously held a Canadian visa or meet other exemption criteria within the past decade.

In concluding his remarks, Minister Miller highlighted that most asylum claims are now arriving by air rather than irregular land crossings. The reimposed visa requirements aim to curb the rising numbers of applications and relieve the overburdened services – particularly in Quebec. Only time will tell if this strategy helps regain control over the influx of asylum claims that sparked its reinstatement.