Canada holds round table with immigrant groups in NYC
NEW YORK, NY, Sept. 18, 2017 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, held a round table with key groups that work with immigrant 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 of 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 to 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.
Quote
"Today, I was able to meet with several key members of organizations serving the immigrant community in New York. These meetings 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 to grant refugee status to individuals in the United States currently under Temporary Protected Status 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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SOURCE Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
for media only: Minister's Office, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, 613-954-1064; Media Relations, Communications Branch, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, IRCC.COMMMediaRelations, 613-952-1650
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