Experts and community groups are criticizing Canada's proposed Bill C-2, or the Strong Borders Act, as 'anti-immigrant and anti-refugee.' The bill would allow officials to cancel/suspend immigration documents, pause new applications, and require asylum claims within specific timeframes (one year for international students/temporary residents, 14 days for irregular border crossers), drawing comparisons to U.S. immigration policies and raising concerns about 'unchecked powers' and human rights.
Experts warn of Bill C-2 as "anti-refugee" and "anti-immigrant" giving Canada "unchecked powers" like the U.S.
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AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Experts and community groups are criticizing Canada's proposed Bill C-2, or the Strong Borders Act, as 'anti-immigrant and anti-refugee.' The bill would allow officials to cancel/suspend immigration documents, pause new applications, and require asylum claims within specific timeframes (one year for international students/temporary residents, 14 days for irregular border crossers), drawing comparisons to U.S. immigration policies and raising concerns about 'unchecked powers' and human rights.
Trending- 1 2009: Federal Conservative government changed the law regarding citizenship by descent.
- 2 2012: Mbonisi Zikhali was living on the streets in Windsor.
- 3 July 2020: Example Afghan international student came to Canada.
- 4 August 2021: Taliban took over in Afghanistan.
- 5 December 2023: Ontario Superior Court ruled the 2009 citizenship law unconstitutional.
- 6 April (current year): Government received its fourth deadline extension for citizenship legislation.
- 7 Thursday (current): Immigration Minister Lena Diab tabled Bill C-3 (citizenship bill) and Bill C-2 (Strong Borders Act) is being discussed.
- Potential denial of refugee status for vulnerable people
- Alignment of Canadian immigration system with U.S. policies
- Violation of Canada's legal obligations (e.g., Geneva Convention)
- Government gaining 'unchecked power' over status
- Potential for increased undocumented individuals
- Development of backlogs in the system
- 'Major rollback of rights' for claimants
What: Experts and community groups are warning that Canada's proposed Bill C-2 (Strong Borders Act) is 'anti-refugee' and 'anti-immigrant,' granting the government 'unchecked powers' similar to the U.S.
When: Thursday (legislation tabled); 2009 (federal Conservative government changed law); December 2023 (Ontario Superior Court ruled existing law unconstitutional); April (government received fourth deadline extension); July 2020 (example Afghan student arrived); August 2021 (Taliban took over Afghanistan).
Where: Canada; Windsor, Ontario; Toronto, Ontario; United States; Afghanistan.
Why: The bill aims to change immigration laws, allowing officials to cancel/suspend immigration documents, pause applications, and set strict deadlines for asylum claims, potentially to limit immigration and address concerns about individuals using refugee claims to stay in Canada. Critics argue it violates legal obligations and ethical standards.
How: Bill C-2 proposes changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, including immediate cancellation/suspension of documents, pausing application acceptance, and setting one-year and 14-day deadlines for asylum claims. It also allows wider information sharing among agencies.