Montreal, Canada – In a rapid series of actions that have sparked widespread concern, President Donald Trump has initiated a significant crackdown on the rights of migrants and refugees in the United States, just weeks into his administration. The measures include sending migrants to the controversial Guantanamo Bay detention facility, ramping up deportations, effectively banning asylum claims, and halting the refugee resettlement program.
Rights advocates in Canada are alarmed by these developments, urging the Canadian government to cease the practice of returning asylum seekers who arrive at the Canadian border seeking protection. Wendy Ayotte, co-founder of Bridges Not Borders, expressed deep concern, stating that the U.S. government is becoming an “agent of persecution” for those within its borders. She emphasized that returning individuals to the U.S. makes Canada complicit in an anti-refugee regime, potentially exposing them to poor detention conditions or forced repatriation to unsafe home countries.
The Trump administration is also leveraging the threat of tariffs to compel neighboring countries, including Canada and Mexico, to adopt stricter border controls aimed at curbing irregular migration into the U.S. In response to these pressures, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently announced a temporary freeze on planned tariffs in exchange for commitments to enhance border security. Trudeau indicated that nearly 10,000 personnel are already deployed to safeguard the Canadian border.
The situation has raised questions about the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA), which mandates that asylum seekers must apply for protection in the first country they enter. This agreement was expanded in March 2023 to cover the entire border, complicating access to the Canadian asylum system for many. Critics argue that the STCA does not effectively deter irregular migration; instead, it pushes desperate individuals toward more dangerous routes in their quest for safety.
While the Canadian government defends the STCA as an essential tool for managing refugee claims, rights organizations argue that the current U.S. political climate makes it increasingly unsafe for asylum seekers. Gauri Sreenivasan from the Canadian Council for Refugees highlighted that the U.S. is no longer a safe haven for those seeking refuge, especially given the recent executive orders from Trump aimed at restricting asylum access.
The Canadian Supreme Court previously upheld aspects of the STCA but has sent back a case concerning equal protection rights for further review. Advocates are calling for immediate reassessment of the agreement in light of the deteriorating conditions for asylum seekers in the U.S.
As the political landscape shifts, both in Canada and the U.S., the implications for migrants and refugees remain uncertain. Activists in Canada are urging their government to take a stand against policies that threaten the rights and safety of vulnerable populations. As Ayotte poignantly asked, Canadians must reflect on their values and the extent to which they are willing to comply with policies that undermine human rights.