Canada to halt International students from claiming asylum under proposed reforms

Toronto: Immigration Minister Mark Miller has announced plans to reform Canada’s immigration and asylum systems, citing inefficiencies and growing backlogs. Speaking before a parliamentary committee, Miller described the asylum system as “not working properly” and in need of a complete overhaul.

The move comes as Canada grapples with an average processing time of 44 months for refugee and asylum claims. Official data reveals more than 260,000 asylum cases were pending before the Immigration and Refugee Board by the end of October, with numbers continuing to rise.

In October alone, 17,400 asylum claims were filed, a slight decrease from 20,000 in July. Notably, over 14,000 of these claims came from international students, a trend Miller has criticized. He questioned the legitimacy of many claims, suggesting that some applicants are misusing the system.

“The number of international students claiming asylum is increasing,” Miller stated, adding that reforms may include barring students from seeking asylum. However, he did not provide details about the proposed changes.

During the committee session, a group of about 20 protesters holding signs reading “Don’t send us back” interrupted the proceedings and were escorted out by Parliamentary Security Service officials.

The government has already reduced its targets for permanent residents over the next two years and tightened rules for temporary worker permits. Miller signaled that more claims could be rejected in the coming weeks, asserting that “becoming a Canadian citizen is not a right.”

NDP immigration critic Jenny Kwan has called for a rollback of recent immigration changes, warning of their impact on vulnerable populations. However, Miller defended the reforms as necessary to restore the integrity of Canada’s immigration system.