• Source:JND
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After the United States, Canada has tightened its immigration policy, by bringing a major reform. The Bill C-12 or Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act has received royal assent and become a law. Aimed at strengthening Canada’s immigration and asylum systems, the law is set to affect nearly 30,000 people who filed asylum claims including Indians.

According to the Canadian government, the measure was necessary to make the country's immigration system more regulated and transparent. This law lists stricter rules for people seeking refugee protection in Canada. The government now has the authority to revoke visas or immigration documents on a large scale in specific situations.

Canada Tightens Immigration Rules

Under the new legislation, the process for reviewing asylum claims will be expedited and streamlined. One of the biggest changes is the new one-year deadline. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), people who entered Canada on or after June 24, 2020, must generally file their asylum claims within one year of their first entry into the country, as per the rules. Notably, the new eligibility requirements apply to all claims made on or after June 3, 2025.

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What Does The New Law Say? 

If an individual submits an application after this time limit has expired, their case will not be accepted. In a press release, the government said, “Asylum claims made more than one year after someone’s first entry into Canada after June 24, 2020, won’t be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB), regardless of whether the person has since left and returned.”

The law has been made to address high asylum claim backlogs, reduce unsustainable immigration levels, and enhance border security. “These new eligibility requirements will reduce pressure on the asylum system, protect it against sudden increases in claims, close loopholes and deter people from claiming asylum as a shortcut to regular immigration pathways,” the Canadian government said.

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Who Will It Impact?

The law is expected to largely affect former international students including Indians who initially came to Canada on study permits and later filed asylum claims. According to The New Indian Express report, around 30,000 migrants in Canada are expected to receive notices and could face deportation following the implementation of this law. Reports further suggest that nearly 9,000 of those affected are international students and asylum seekers from Punjab.

While the law does not target any specific country, there are concerns as many Indian students, work permit holders, and asylum seekers are in Canada. They are likely to face the impact of this new legislation. Moreover, the law is being applied retroactively, which means with effect from a date in the past. This has triggered concern among people who believed their claims were previously valid.

According to CBS news, the IRCC has started sending “procedural fairness” letters to migrants. Those who have received letters have 21 days to respond. They will have to submit new proof, explain their situation, or choose to leave the country voluntarily.

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