CIMM – Communications Narrative – February 7, 2024

Introduction

The Government of Canada recognizes the heinous nature of human trafficking and migrant smuggling. Canada works closely with its domestic and international partners to detect and investigate organized crime groups and networks that are involved in these illegal activities, among others. Canada and the United States share the world’s longest international border, and an interest in safe and orderly migration, refugee protection, and border security. We are committed to addressing the root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement, while respecting the rights of those fleeing persecution.

Canada continues to work with international partners in the Americas region, such as the International Organization for Migration, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to help transit and host countries respond to the needs of the large scale mixed migration movements. This includes promoting regular migration pathways in the Americas region and strengthening protection and asylum systems. This work also addresses the root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement, expands regular migration pathways, responds to humanitarian crises and helps to build more durable, stable and safe societies in Latin America and the Caribbean. Canada also supports projects with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to combat human trafficking and smuggling.

Human Trafficking

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) works with partner departments and agencies through the whole-of-government National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking.

To help support victims of human trafficking in Canada, IRCC continues to issue free Temporary Resident Permits to out-of-status foreign national victims of human trafficking. These provide victims and their dependants with legal status in Canada and access to health care, including medical and psychological services and prescription drug coverage. In some cases they may also be eligible to apply for a work or study permit.

Migrant Smuggling

Human smuggling is a global problem that requires domestic and international solutions. The Government of Canada works closely with its domestic and international partners to detect, investigate and disrupt organized crime groups and networks that are involved in human smuggling, among other illegal activities.

IRCC carefully assesses all visa-required foreign nationals (including visitors, temporary foreign workers and students), immigrants and refugees to determine that they are eligible and admissible to come to Canada. A visa is only issued when the officer is fully satisfied that the applicant poses no threat to the health, safety or security of Canadians.

Disrupting Smuggling Operations

Canada is party to the United Nations Protocol against Migrant Smuggling by Land, Sea and Air, which requires States Parties to criminalize, prevent and combat this illegal activity.

Canada has a whole-of-government migrant smuggling prevention strategy and cooperates closely with international partners to prevent and disrupt migrant smuggling attempts destined for Canada by land, air, or sea, and to assist migrants stranded as a result of these activities. Canadian assistance is provided consistent with international norms, standards and obligations and takes into account human rights and gender equality considerations.

IRCC collaborates with enforcement partners by supporting their criminal investigations and working with officers to identify possible new cases of trafficking victims during the application process.

Irregular Migration and the Safe Third Country Agreement

Some individuals who cross irregularly into Canada are seeking refugee protection. Since 2004, the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) has been an important tool to handle refugee claims along the land border by returning to the United States those who do not meet an exemption or exception. On March 25, 2023, Canada and the United States expanded the application of the STCA across the entire land border, including internal waterways. This means that entering between ports of entry no longer provides greater access to Canada’s asylum system and irregular arrivals have decreased.

We will continue to work with the United States and other likeminded partners around the world to promote and grow safe and regular pathways for people, and to support other countries as they set up their own systems to protect refugees and asylum claimants.

Mexico Asylum Claims

In December 2016, the Government of Canada lifted the visa requirement for Mexican nationals. Since then, Canada has welcomed over 2M visitors from Mexico, who have spent more than $2.4B in Canadian hotels, restaurants and other businesses. However, we remain concerned with the overall growing trend of Mexican asylum claimants.

Mexico was Canada’s top source country for asylum claims in 2023, and the Immigration and Refugee Board determined that most claims were non-genuine (rejected, abandoned or withdrawn). This places significant pressure on the capacity of Canada’s refugee system, as well as the capacity of provinces and territories to provide adequate resources to accommodate claimants upon their arrival in Canada.

Canada is continuously monitoring the impacts of its visa policies for both visa-exempt and visa-required countries. Canada is in regular communication with the Government of Mexico and is exploring various options to address these issues. We cannot speculate on future policy decisions. Any new development would be communicated publicly.