Canada is seeing a sharp drop in refugee claims as it tightens visa controls, limiting legal pathways for asylum-seekers. The government says the measures prevent abuse, but advocates warn they leave displaced people with few safe options.
📉 Refugee Claims Declining
In January 2024, 11,840 people filed asylum claims in Canada, down from 19,821 in July 2023—a 40% decline. It is the lowest figure since September 2023, according to Immigration and Refugee Board data.
🚫 Visa Approvals Drop
Canada issued 1.5 million visitor visas last year, down from 1.8 million in 2023, tightening entry for those seeking refuge. The decline was most pronounced in countries with high numbers of asylum-seekers:
🇧🇩 Bangladeshi visas fell from 45,322 to 27,975
🇭🇹 Haitian visas dropped from 8,984 to 5,487
🇳🇬 Nigerian visas declined from 79,378 to 51,828
🇦🇫 Afghan visas fell from 468 to 330
🇮🇷 Iranian visas decreased from 57,127 to 38,075
📌 No Asylum-Seeker Visas
Canada does not issue visas specifically for asylum-seekers. Refugees must enter the country as visitors, students, or workers, or attempt irregular crossings, which are restricted under a U.S.-Canada agreement.
🛑 Government’s Justification
A spokesperson for Immigration Minister Marc Miller said visa restrictions target countries with high rates of abuse to ensure visas are used as intended.
"This work additionally protects the asylum process ... so that it is available for those who need it most." – Renee LeBlanc Proctor, Immigration Ministry
⚠️ Advocates Raise Concerns
Critics argue the restrictions block legitimate asylum-seekers, forcing them into dangerous, irregular migration routes.
🗣️ Diana Gallego, FCJ Refugee Centre:
"If people are fleeing persecution, the only way that some of them may find safe haven is having an exit visa. If not, they are forced to cross borders walking, putting their lives in danger."
📊 Asylum Backlog Remains High
Despite fewer new claims, Canada still had 278,457 pending asylum cases in January, indicating the strain on the system.
With global displacement on the rise, Canada’s stricter immigration policies continue to fuel debate over access to protection and border control.
The U.S. State Department has handed over international disaster response duties to its refugee-focused bureau, sidelining USAID’s seasoned crisis teams.
The UK is set to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while retaining long-term control over the Diego Garcia military base under a 99-year lease. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Mauritian officials are expected to formalize the deal in a virtual ceremony this week.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for May 22th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared on Thursday that Pakistan will no longer receive water from rivers over which India holds rights, escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
The U.S. State Department has handed over international disaster response duties to its refugee-focused bureau, sidelining USAID’s seasoned crisis teams.
The UK is set to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while retaining long-term control over the Diego Garcia military base under a 99-year lease. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Mauritian officials are expected to formalize the deal in a virtual ceremony this week.
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Romania’s Constitutional Court on Thursday unanimously dismissed a legal challenge seeking to annul the country’s May 18 presidential election, clearing the way for the formal confirmation of centrist independent candidate Nicușor Dan as the next president.
The U.S. State Department has handed over international disaster response duties to its refugee-focused bureau, sidelining USAID’s seasoned crisis teams.
The UK is set to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while retaining long-term control over the Diego Garcia military base under a 99-year lease. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Mauritian officials are expected to formalize the deal in a virtual ceremony this week.
The European Union has approved a landmark €150 billion (nearly $170 billion) Defense Industrial Readiness Loan Instrument, known as SAFE, aimed at bolstering the bloc’s defense sector in the face of rising geopolitical threats.
President Donald Trump has unveiled an ambitious $175 billion missile defense initiative called the "Golden Dome," designed to protect the United States from advanced missile threats through a multi-layered shield that integrates ground, sea, and space-based components.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared on Thursday that Pakistan will no longer receive water from rivers over which India holds rights, escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
The U.S. State Department has handed over international disaster response duties to its refugee-focused bureau, sidelining USAID’s seasoned crisis teams.
The UK is set to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius while retaining long-term control over the Diego Garcia military base under a 99-year lease. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Mauritian officials are expected to formalize the deal in a virtual ceremony this week.
The European Union has approved a landmark €150 billion (nearly $170 billion) Defense Industrial Readiness Loan Instrument, known as SAFE, aimed at bolstering the bloc’s defense sector in the face of rising geopolitical threats.
President Donald Trump has unveiled an ambitious $175 billion missile defense initiative called the "Golden Dome," designed to protect the United States from advanced missile threats through a multi-layered shield that integrates ground, sea, and space-based components.
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