Canada’s Immigration Minister Mark Miller have raised his concerns over exploiting the laws for asylum seeking by International Students
Canada’s Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, has raised his doubts and concerns about exploitation surfing below the increasing number of asylum claims by international students. He wrote a letter to Mr. John Murray, the president and CEO of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) in regards to this subject.
Miller allegedly stated that, International students are being counselled by third parties – agents or agencies or other entities – to use the Asylum seeking option in Canada to deceptively achieve residency status in Canada.
Miller posted the official letter send to CICC president on this matter on X platform (formerly twitter).
My letter to the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants related to the growing number of international students claiming asylum in Canada and potentially unethical advice being given by some of its members. pic.twitter.com/XUqYw0FIPm
— Marc Miller ᐅᑭᒫᐃᐧᐅᓃᐸᐄᐧᐤᐃᔨᐣ (@MarcMillerVM) November 14, 2024
What does Claiming Asylum in Canada means
The literal meaning of the word asylum is to seek protection under a particular established system from any other entities considered harmful to the person. It is usually associated with seeking political asylum, where a candidate who is in constant fear for life or freedom, seek the help of an another political entity in regards to that.
However, people who face threats of life or existence due to the crimes on their home country or entities of similar nature can eek asylum in a country which protects them from the jurisdictional or authoritative harming entity.
As per the United Nations Refugee Convention, Canada can grant refugee status and give asylum to those who are facing grave danger due to the reasons arising from race, religion, nationality status, political opinion, freedom of expression, membership or participation in any social organisations, activism including gender related or human rights related.
Such a person, with relevant and required documents can file an application for Asylum protection at ny airports in Canada or borders via Canadian Border services Agency (CBSA) or through IRCC. In certain real life situations, people also claim political asylum protection through the embassies of a country in their home country or through an another country.
How does the Asylum seeking process works in Canada
Applications for asylum received in any forms are subjected to scrutiny under The Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) under Government of Canada. While the applications are under processing, even though not approved the people who filed for them can enjoy the basic access of healthcare, housing and work permits.
Once, the scrutiny is completed and the application is approved, the person gets ‘protected person’ status under the federal government of Canada. If the application is not approved, the candidate can appeal to it or may be deported to their home country.
How is certain entities exploiting this by counselling International Students
As soon a person gets the ‘protected person’ status from federal government of Canada, it will soon lead to the Permanent Residency (PR) status. In order to get a normal PR status in Canada, a foreign national have to undergo various eligiblity critierias and many tight security checks as well as should have a financial stability. However, if one person can get asylum status, then the PR status is not that far away and is too easy.
This is where certain deceptive entities play their role. International Students who comes to Canada for education not only dreams about getting educated but also to permanently settle in Canada; If not citizenship then PR status. These third party entities encourages the students to forge fake credibility and proofs to seek asylum protection and get the PR status easier and faster, which is considered illegal as they are exploiting the loopholes of a law.
This is the summary of Minister Miller’s concern. Fraudulent asylum claims destroy the essence and integrity of Canada’s immigration system and no one should be allowed to exploit Canada’s duty in upholding humanitarian principles.
Public resources states that there was only 1800+ applications for asylum seeking in 2018. However, the number have enormously increased to 12000 by 2022.
The more disturbing fact to this is the fact that, most of the people seeking asylum in such style are of Indian origin. In 2015, there was only 350-400 applications from Indian students and nationals. But, by September of this month in 2024, the number of applicants for asylum in Canada being an Indian is roughly more than 11000. A big chunk of the applications are being done by Indians.
Official Stance of Indian Government
Indian authorities have expressed their concerns over this misuse and exploitation of Canada’s asylum system. Indian alleges that the pro-Khalistan elements and organisations are the major reason for this situation. Many Indian students are forging proofs for their representations and freedom to participate in Khalistan movements and accusing India targeting them as the major reason to seek Asylum.
Miller have stated that, a tight and insightful scrutiny and security check should be placed to avoid exploitation of Canada’s humanitarian system to protect their international integrity.