Saturday, March 2, 2024
Canada to reintroduce visa requirements for Mexican travelers amid refugee concerns, reversing a part of the 2016 open visa policy.
An official has disclosed plans by the Canadian government to reintroduce visa requirements for travelers from Mexico, a decision communicated to The Associated Press on Wednesday. This move, partially reversing the open visa policy from late 2016, comes amidst concerns voiced by Quebec’s premier over the pressures refugee influxes are placing on local resources.
The announcement, expected on Thursday, will not mark a full return to the pre-2016 visa regime, as per the unnamed official who was not cleared to make preliminary statements. The specifics of the adjusted rules, set to commence late Thursday, are to be unveiled by Canada’s immigration minister.
The initial elimination of visas for Mexican visitors by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration had been a step towards smoothing over diplomatic frictions. However, a significant uptick in asylum applications from Mexican nationals has been observed, with the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada registering 17,490 claims in 2023 alone, constituting 19% of all referrals for the year.
Factors driving Mexicans to seek refuge include violence, economic instability, and job scarcity. Canada’s asylum policy is stringent, offering protection only to those judged to be unsafe in any part of Mexico due to the government’s inability or unwillingness to ensure their security.
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, addressing potential U.S. tariffs on Mexican steel and broader diplomatic tensions, criticized the perceived disrespect from North American allies. He highlighted the pressures from conservative groups within Mexico advocating for policies that would negatively impact his government, including issues related to immigration and fentanyl production criticisms.
López Obrador lamented the steps Canada is considering against Mexico, emphasizing ongoing negotiations to manage migration effectively, a task he claims Mexico has approached with generosity, particularly during Trudeau’s tenure. The Mexican President also hinted at potentially skipping the North American Leaders’ Summit in Quebec, slated for April, should the treatment not be respectful, underlining his stance on diplomatic relations and cooperation.
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
