"Canada’s Commitment: Protecting Integrity in Visitor Visas."

Minister says Ottawa is also taking a closer look at visa applications from India

Immigration Minister Marc Miller stated that more has to be done by the federal government to stop people from entering Canada using visiting visas improperly. "We've taken a number of measures throughout the summer, particularly to deal with the flow of people coming into the country," Miller told CBC News on Wednesday. "And it's no surprise to anyone that … we need to do a stronger job in making sure that people that are coming here, for example on visitor's visas, do so for those purposes and not for the purposes of .claiming asylum or finding their way into the U.S."

Between October 2023 and August 2024, 21,929 migrants were intercepted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) between border posts on the American side of the Canada-U.S. border; 17,810 of them were in the Swanton Sector, which runs along Quebec's border with New York and Vermont.

That figure is more than twice as numerous as the 8,686 encountered between border posts on the American side over the same time period last year, even if it is nowhere near as high as those connected to the southern border of the United States. Just 2,238 migrants were intercepted by CBP in between border stations at the northern border in the previous year. 12,992 people, or almost 60% of the 21,929 people stopped by US Border Patrol agents, were from India. Miller stated that future inspections of Indian visa applications might be more stringent. We do observe that many individuals from other nations who are requesting refuge from India are not receiving a favorable decision from the Immigration (and) Refugee Board, which is a sign to us that we need to examine more closely how we grant visas in the first place," he remarked.

"In conclusion, as Canada continues to welcome visitors from around the globe, it is crucial to implement stronger measures to prevent the misuse of visitor visas. By reinforcing our immigration policies and ensuring that these visas serve their intended purpose, we not only protect the integrity of our borders but also uphold the values of fairness and security that define our nation. At Planman Immigration, we are committed to supporting these efforts and advocating for a system that works for everyone. Together, let’s build a brighter, safer future for Canada."