Canada Sees Mexican Refugee Claims Jump After Visa Requirement Dropped Kathleen Harris - CBC News
go to original January 12, 2017

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto clasp hands at a joint news conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa in June, 2016. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)

At least 70 Mexicans claimed refugee status in Canada the first month after the federal government lifted a visa requirement for travelers from Mexico.

The one-month figure brings the total number of Mexican refugee claims for 2016 to 248, compared to 111 in 2015, according to figures provided by the Canada Border Services Agency.

The policy change took effect on Dec. 1, 2016.

"We anticipated there would be if not an immediate spike, a surge, and it seems that is what's happening," Conservative Foreign Affairs critic Peter Kent told CBC News.

The Conservatives imposed a visa requirement in 2009 after a rise in refugee claims from Mexico that were ultimately rejected as invalid.

The number of Mexican claims referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board peaked at 9,511 in 2009. After the visa requirement was imposed, the number of claims dropped to 1,349 for 2010, then continued to shrink over the years.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the plan to lift the visa requirement during a visit by Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto to Ottawa on June 28, 2016. During that meeting, Mexico announced it would fully reopen its market to Canadian beef.

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