Average Of 50 Interceptions Of Irregular Migrants Through Quebec Border In January This Year
Ottawa: Canada received a total of 50,380 asylum claims in 2017, according to the Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Irregular Migration. Of these claims, 20,593 (41 per cent) were made by irregular migrants.
In January 2018, in-Canada asylum claims reached approximately 3,965. Of these claims, 1,517 were made by irregular migrants and 96 per cent were made by asylum seekers who crossed the border between ports of entry in Quebec.
Members of the Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Irregular Migration came together during the weekend to report on their respective progress and challenges in addressing irregular migration. Federal Minister and Task Force Chair, Marc Garneauemphasized that the ongoing response to the increase in asylum seekers has truly been a whole-of-government effort. Many federal departments, agencies, and provinces have been involved, and the leadership shown by all had permitted an efficient response to a fluid situation.
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC), Ahmed Hussen, said that flows of irregular migrants crossing the border in Lacolle, Quebec, have remained steady in 2018 with an average of 50 interceptions per day in January.
He said his department continued to examine volumes to identify any possible changing patterns with irregular migrants especially for those nationalities for which Temporary Protected Status in the US will soon expire.
A high number of work permits also continudto be delivered to regular and irregular migrants across Canada within the 30-day service standard; 97 per cent of work permit applications submitted by irregular migrants have been approved and only around 3 per cent have been refused.
More than 11,100 work permits were issued to irregular migrants who entered in Quebec since April 1, 2017. An additional 1,343 work permit applications have been approved for irregular migrants who entered Canada outside of Quebec.
Hussen said the mobile processing unit at Lacolle that was used from November 7, 2017, to February 9, 2018, processed 720 asylum claims. He said the units would be deployed at other border points across Canada if needed. Pic: Asylum seekers approach RCMP officers while crossing the Canadian border in Champlain, N.Y..The Canadian Press/Ryan Remiorz. – CP