iAsk.ca

Ottawa told Trump that visa crackdown led to fewer Indians, Bangladeshis illegally crossing the border

(3 weeks ago)
Marie Woolf
Politics

AI Summary

TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️

Ottawa informed the Trump administration that its visa crackdown, which denied boarding to over 2,000 Indian and Bangladeshi nationals, resulted in a significant drop in illegal border crossings from Canada to the U.S. This effort was part of Canada's attempt to reassure Trump about border security and avoid tariffs, with enhanced visa screening and enforcement actions targeting smuggling and visa fraud.

Trending
  1. 1 March 2024: Targeted review of visa issuance for cases of fraud began, leading to over 2,000 people of Indian and Bangladeshi origin denied boarding.
  2. 2 February 2024: Marc Miller reimposed visa requirements for Mexicans.
  3. 3 Summer 2024: IRCC refocused efforts on screening and processing for high-risk countries.
  4. 4 November 2024: Enhanced visa screening resulted in an 84% reduction of illegal southbound crossings.
  5. 5 Days before Jan. 20 (Trump took office): Briefing documents drawn up by Global Affairs.
  • Drop in illegal border crossings from Canada to the U.S.
  • Canada was still hit by tariffs despite efforts
  • Increased scrutiny on foreign students and acceptance letters
  • Identification of high-risk individuals in air travel
What: Ottawa informed the Trump administration that its stricter visa policies and enforcement actions, particularly targeting Indian and Bangladeshi travelers, led to a significant reduction in illegal border crossings from Canada to the U.S.
When: Days before Jan. 20 (Trump took office), March 2024 (targeted review of visa issuance began), Summer 2024 (IRCC refocused efforts), November 2024 (84% reduction in southbound crossings), February 2024 (visa reimposition on Mexican nationals).
Where: Ottawa, Canada-U.S. border, First Nation reserves.
Why: To reassure President Donald Trump and his border czar Tom Homan that Canada was serious about curbing illegal crossings and fentanyl smuggling, and to dissuade Trump from imposing tariffs on Canada.
How: By denying boarding to over 2,000 Indian and Bangladeshi nationals due to visa fraud, enhancing visa screening for high-risk countries, reimposing visa requirements for Mexican nationals, and taking enforcement action against smuggling through First Nation reserves.

Ottawa informed the Trump administration that its visa crackdown, which denied boarding to over 2,000 Indian and Bangladeshi nationals, resulted in a significant drop in illegal border crossings from Canada to the U.S. This effort was part of Canada's attempt to reassure Trump about border security and avoid tariffs, with enhanced visa screening and enforcement actions targeting smuggling and visa fraud.