DirectionFreeNews | Canada not a safe haven for Haitians and Syrians facing loss of U.S. status, advocates warn

Key Points

Thousands of Haitians and Syrians in the U.S. are losing temporary protected status, raising concerns about a possible move to Canada.
The Canada-U.S. Safe Third Country Agreement generally blocks asylum claims from people arriving from the U.S.
Advocates say the U.S. may no longer be a safe country for these groups, but Canada has not signaled any policy change.
Past experiences, like the 2017 Roxham Road influx, have left Canadian communities wary of a repeat surge.

Background History

The Safe Third Country Agreement, signed in 2004, designates the U.S. and Canada as safe countries for refugees, meaning people must claim asylum in the first country they reach. TPS is a temporary U.S. status for nationals of countries facing conflict or disaster. The 2023 update to the STCA expanded its application to land borders, closing a loophole used by many at irregular crossings like Roxham Road.

Tens of thousands of Haitians and Syrians living in the United States under temporary protected status (TPS) could lose that status in the coming months, sparking concerns among Canadian advocates that a wave of asylum seekers might head north. However, Canadian officials and immigration experts say the country is not an automatic refuge, largely due to the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) between Canada and the U.S. The STCA requires asylum seekers to claim protection in the first safe country they arrive in, which for most people coming from the U.S. would be the United States itself. Advocates argue that the U.S. may not be safe for these individuals, given the political climate and the end of protections, but Canada has so far maintained that the agreement remains in place. Thousands of Haitians currently have TPS, which was extended after the 2010 earthquake, while Syrians received TPS during the civil war. With both designations set to expire, community groups in Canada are bracing for a possible influx, even as the federal government signals it will enforce border rules. Past surges, such as the asylum seekers crossing at Roxham Road in 2017, put pressure on Quebec's resources. Now, with the STCA being updated in 2023 to close loopholes, the path for new arrivals is even narrower. The situation remains fluid, with advocates calling for a humanitarian response while officials stress the need for orderly migration.