CIMM – Mexico: Border Crossings/Asylum Claims – December 05, 2023

Key Facts And Figures

• Over 2.2M Mexican visitors arrived in Canada since the visa exemption in December 2016. Mexico is a top three source country for Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) application intake, and the top source of travelers to Canada from Latin America.
• In 2021, 2022, and to-date in 2023, Mexico is the top source country for asylum claims, 75% of which are made at airports and the majority of those in Quebec. Claims by Mexican citizens compared to the total claims filed in Canada have doubled annually since the visa exemption, from an annual rate of 1.1% in 2016, to 3% in 2017, 18% in 2022, and already at 17.5% this calendar year.
• 20,370 Mexican nationals have claimed asylum in Canada as of October 31, 2023, surpassing the total for 2022 (16,430). The volume of Mexican asylum claimants will surpass all previous records in 2023, placing significant pressure on the capacity of Canada’s refugee system, as well as the capacity of provinces and territories in ensuring adequate resources to accommodate claimants upon their arrival in Canada.
• Approximately 58% of Mexican asylum claims were either refused, abandoned or withdrawn between January 1, 2023 and September 30, 2023.
• As part of the process leading to the lifting of the visa requirement, Canada works closely with its Mexican partners on measures designed to support the sustainability of the decision. The Canada-Mexico High Level Dialogue on Mobility most recently occurred in Mexico City on April 18, 2023.
• In addition to discussing the visa exemption, this forum supports partnership between both countries in addressing regional and hemispheric irregular migration and forced displacement.
• [Redacted] Canada continues to monitor this migration trend and works closely with the U.S. in addressing these shared challenges.
• The Government of Canada carefully monitors any behaviour that threatens the security of the country and takes appropriate measures to remedy the situation. The Public Safety portfolio and Canadian law enforcement partners from all regions of the country and abroad work proactively together to keep Canada safe. The fight against serious and organized crime is a priority for the Government of Canada.

Key Messages

• Since the visa requirement was lifted on December 1, 2016, Canada has welcomed over 2.2M visitors from Mexico, and both countries share a close and multi-faceted relationship built on shared values. Mexico is the top source of travelers to Canada from Latin America.
• At the same time, there has been a notable increase in the number of asylum claims and immigration violations from Mexican citizens, which continues to grow.
• The Government is monitoring these trends, and remains committed to protecting the integrity of its immigration system, and the safety and security of Canadians.
• Canada regularly engages with Mexico to discuss these issues, as well as with the United States, given the commitment by all three countries to managing migration through the Americas.

Supplementary Information

If pressed:

• Canada remains concerned with the ever growing volume of Mexican asylum claimants month over month. We continue working with Mexican officials to deter abuse of visa-free travel (such as non-genuine asylum claims, and the use of fraudulent Mexican passports).
• Canada works to preserve the integrity of its asylum system by establishing fair and efficient procedures that maintain the integrity of Canada’s borders so that we can provide protection to those who need it.
• Canada, the United States and Mexico are committed to working together to share best practices and strengthen protection systems in the Americas to increase their promptness, efficiency and fairness.