Canada holds round table with
immigrant group in NYC
Today, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and
Citizenship Canada, held a round table with key group that work with
immigration communities in New York City to discuss the situation involving
asylum seekers at the Canada-United States border.
Among those attending the round table were one of the largest immigrant
service providers in New York State, the Immigration Protection Unit of the New
York Legal Assistance Group, as well as the Catholic Charities New York.
This round table was part of Canada’s effort to counter misinformation
with facts and promote a better understanding of Canada’s asylum system and the
risks associated with irregular border crossings. At the same time, the
Minister elaborated on the programs that Canada’s immigration system offers to
help people immigrate to Canada through regular channels.
Minister Hussen stressed that while Canada is a
welcoming society, entry into Canada must be done through the proper channels.
He reiterated that the Government of Canada discourages people from entering
Canada outside of designated ports of entry as it can be dangerous and is a
violation fo our laws.
The Minister also underlined that under the law,
anyone claiming asylum in Canada has the right to due process. However, there
are no guarantees that an asylum seeker will be allowed t stay in Canada at the
end of this process.
As well, he noted that asylum seekers crossing the
border into Canada from the U.S. who are under Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
may think that this status applies in Canada. TPS in the U.S. does not apply in
Canada.
Quotes
“Today, I was able to meet with several key members
of organizations serving the immigrant community in New York. These meeting are
a part of our outreach efforts in the United States. We are working closely
with our embassy and consulates in the U.S. and other stakeholders to ensure
that all people thinking about making an asylum claim in Canada, regardless of
their current status in the United States, understand Canada’s laws and the
risks of entering Canada outside of ports of entry.”
The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration Refugees and
Citizenship.
Quick Facts
- The Government of Canada has no special program, tp grant refugee status to individuals in the United States currently under Temporary Protected States or otherwise.
- Claiming asylum is not a free ticket into Canada.
- Temporary Protected Status in the United States does not entitle people to the same status in Canada. Any claims that the Temporary Protected Status from the United States would apply in Canada are false.
If you cross the U.S, border into Canada outside of a
port of entry, you are breaking the law and you could be putting yourself at
risk.
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