Detentions of Mexicans Trying to Enter Canada Rise to Record Numbers Arthur Weinreb - Digital Journal
go to original March 18, 2017

The new Underground Railroad: Immigrants fleeing the US for Canada (ABC News)

Canada has detained more Mexicans trying to enter the country so far in 2017 than have been taken into custody in each of the past three years. The increase is believed to result from Canada no longer requiring visas for Mexicans and Trump's policies.

According to a report issued by Reuters, the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) has detained 444 Mexican nationals entering or attempting to enter Canada between Jan. 1 and Mar. 8, 2017. This number exceeds the yearly total for Mexicans taken into custody for each of the previous three years. In 2016, 410 Mexican nationals were detained during the entire year. Similarly 351 and 399 Mexicans were detained by the CBSA in 2015 and 2014 respectively.

People entering Canada are detained if Canadian officials are unsure of their identity, if there are doubts they will report for immigration hearings or removal if required or if it is decided they pose a danger to the public.

The increase in detentions are attributed to two factors; Canada removing the necessity of Mexicans to obtain visas to visit Canada and the election of Donald Trump as U.S. president.

On Dec. 1, 2016, the government of Canada announced Mexicans would no longer require visas to come to Canada as of that date. The reason given for the decision was it would improve tourism from Mexico and encourage air travel between the two countries. It was also done to facilitate business, trade and investment between the two countries.

Although Mexican nationals no longer need visas to enter Canada, they are required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to come to Canada. According to Reuters, 72,450 ETAs were issued to Mexicans between Dec. 1, 2016 and Mar. 10, 2017. Unlike a visa, an Electronic Travel Authorization can be obtained online.

...In interviews conducted by Reuters with Mexican nationals it appears Canada is replacing the United States as the country of choice for those who do not want to live in Mexico.

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