Amnesty International Canada Condemns Ottawa’s Border Bill as Assault on Asylum Rights

Key Takeaways

• Bill C-2 introduced June 3, 2025, aiming to tighten asylum eligibility and executive immigration powers.
• Amnesty International Canada condemns Bill C-2 as a violation of asylum rights and warns of discrimination.
• Bill restricts asylum after one year and irregular border entries, increasing cabinet authority over immigration.

This analysis examines Bill C-2, known as the “Strong Borders Act,” and its potential impact on asylum seekers, refugees, and Canada’s broader immigration system. The purpose is to provide a clear, evidence-based overview of the bill’s provisions, the reactions from key stakeholders such as Amnesty International Canada, and the possible consequences for individuals and the country as a whole. The scope includes a review of the bill’s current status, its main proposals, recent data on asylum claims, and the broader policy context.

Methodology

This analysis draws on official government documents, public statements from Amnesty International Canada, recent media coverage, and available data on asylum trends. The approach is to present the facts objectively, compare stakeholder positions, and highlight patterns and implications using clear, accessible language. Visual descriptions and summary tables are used to help readers understand complex information.

Key Findings

• Bill C-2, the “Strong Borders Act,” was introduced in the House of Commons on June 3, 2025, and is at its first reading.
• Amnesty International Canada has strongly condemned the bill, calling it an attack on the right to seek asylum and warning of serious consequences for refugees and asylum seekers.
• The bill proposes major changes to asylum eligibility, expands executive powers over immigration documents, and increases scrutiny of applicants.
• Recent data shows a continued rise in asylum claims, especially among international students.
• Stakeholders are deeply divided: human rights groups warn of rights violations and discrimination, while the government emphasizes security and system integrity.
• If passed, the bill would significantly restrict access to asylum and increase the government’s discretionary power over immigration matters.

Bill C-2: Purpose and Scope

Bill C-2, called the “Strong Borders Act,” aims to change how Canada 🇨🇦 handles border security, asylum claims, and immigration enforcement. The government says the bill is needed to keep Canadians safe, protect the integrity of the immigration system, and respond to rising numbers of irregular border crossings and asylum claims. The bill covers:

• Eligibility for asylum: New rules would make it harder for many people to claim refugee protection in Canada 🇨🇦.
• Executive powers: The federal cabinet would have broad authority to cancel, suspend, or change immigration documents.
• Border enforcement: The bill would give more power to border officials and require port operators to help with enforcement.
• Customs and security: New rules would allow border agents to examine goods and premises more easily.

Data Presentation: Visual Descriptions and Trends

Asylum Claims in Canada 🇨🇦 (2024-2025)

• March 2025: 9,465 asylum applications
• February 2025: 9,050 asylum applications
• International student asylum claims (2024): 20,245 (record high)
• International student asylum claims (Q1 2025): 5,500

Visual Description: Imagine a line graph with months on the x-axis and the number of asylum claims on the y-axis. The line rises steadily from early 2024 through March 2025, with a noticeable spike in claims by international students. This shows a growing trend in both overall and student-related asylum applications.

Summary Table: Key Provisions and Stakeholder Positions

Key Provisions of Bill C-2

1. Retroactive Ineligibility for Asylum Claims
– Anyone who entered Canada 🇨🇦 after June 24, 2020, and waits more than one year to make a refugee claim would be ineligible for protection.
– This rule applies even if the person has lived in Canada 🇨🇦 for years.

2. Irregular Border Crossings
– People who cross into Canada 🇨🇦 from the United States 🇺🇸 outside an official port of entry would not be allowed to make an asylum claim.
– This is a major change from current rules, which allow some exceptions.

3. Sweeping Executive Powers
– The Governor in Council (the federal cabinet) could:
– Cancel, suspend, or change immigration documents, including permanent resident visas, study permits, work permits, and temporary resident visas, if considered “in the public interest.”
– Stop or end the processing of certain immigration applications.
– Impose or change conditions on immigration documents.

4. Expanded Examination Powers
– Immigration officials would have more authority to require people to appear for interviews or examinations.

5. Customs and Border Security
– Port operators would have to provide facilities for Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) enforcement.
– CBSA would have more power to enter premises and examine goods.

Stakeholder Perspectives

Amnesty International Canada

Amnesty International Canada has been vocal in its criticism. Ketty Nivyabandi, Secretary General, said:
“With Bill C-2, the Canadian government threatens to chip away at that right, making it harder for people seeking safety and freedom to file an asylum claim and have it assessed fairly. This attack on the right to seek asylum will severely diminish Canada’s international standing when it comes to protecting human rights.”

France-Isabelle Langlois, Executive Director of Amnistie internationale Canada francophone, added that the bill is “cruel” and “irresponsible,” and that it unfairly links refugees to public safety issues.

Main Concerns:
– The bill violates the right to seek asylum, a right protected under international law.
– It risks stigmatizing refugees and making them more vulnerable to discrimination and violence.
– The broad powers given to the cabinet could lead to unfair treatment and lack of due process.

Government of Canada

Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, has defended the bill, saying it is needed to “keep Canadians safe” and “enhance the integrity and fairness of our immigration system while protecting Canadians’ privacy and Charter rights.”

Government Justifications:
– The bill is necessary to address rising irregular migration and organized crime.
– It aims to ensure that only those who follow the rules can access Canada’s immigration system.
– The government claims the bill respects the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Immigration Lawyers and Advocacy Groups

Many legal experts and advocacy groups have raised concerns that the bill will:
– Push more people into desperate situations by closing regular pathways to permanent residence.
– Increase backlogs and delays in the immigration system.
– Lead to constitutional challenges due to concerns over due process and retroactive application.

Policy Implications and Practical Effects

Severe Restrictions on Asylum Access
– Most people entering from the United States 🇺🇸 would not be able to have their refugee claims reviewed by the Immigration and Refugee Board, especially if they have been in Canada 🇨🇦 for more than a year or crossed irregularly.

Retroactive Application
– The new rules would apply to claims made after the bill’s introduction, but not to those made before.

Discretionary Power
– The federal cabinet would have broad authority to revoke or change immigration status documents, raising concerns about fairness and due process.

Stigmatization and Discrimination
– Human rights groups warn that the bill’s language and rules could paint refugees as security threats, making them more likely to face violence, harassment, and discrimination.

Impact on International Students
– With other immigration pathways narrowing, more international students are turning to asylum claims. This trend is likely to grow if Bill C-2 passes.

Step-by-Step Procedures (If Bill C-2 Becomes Law)

1. Eligibility Check:
   Immigration officials would check if a person is eligible to claim asylum based on when they entered Canada 🇨🇦 and how they crossed the border.

2. Application Submission:
   Only those who meet the new criteria (for example, those who entered at a port of entry and applied within one year) could submit claims.

3. Review by Immigration and Refugee Board:
   Claims that do not meet the new rules would be rejected quickly, with little or no chance to appeal.

4. Potential for Revocation:
   Even after someone is granted status, the cabinet could revoke or change their immigration documents if it is considered in the public interest.

5. Increased Scrutiny:
   Applicants may be required to appear for interviews or examinations under the expanded powers given to immigration officials.

Comparisons, Trends, and Patterns

Comparison to Previous Policy

• Under current rules, some exceptions allow people who cross irregularly to make asylum claims. Bill C-2 would close most of these exceptions.
• The Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) between Canada 🇨🇦 and the United States 🇺🇸 already requires asylum seekers to claim protection in the first safe country they arrive in. Bill C-2 would make these rules even stricter.

Trends in Asylum Claims

• Asylum applications have been rising, with record numbers in 2023 and continued growth in 2024 and 2025.
• International students are making more asylum claims, likely due to fewer options for permanent residence.

Pattern of Policy Tightening

• Bill C-2 fits into a broader trend in Western countries of making asylum and immigration rules stricter, often in response to political pressure and concerns about border security.

Evidence-Based Conclusions

• Bill C-2 would make it much harder for many people to seek asylum in Canada 🇨🇦, especially those who crossed the border irregularly or waited more than a year to apply.
• The bill gives the federal cabinet sweeping powers to change or cancel immigration documents, raising concerns about fairness and due process.
• Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International Canada, warn that the bill violates international law and could harm Canada’s reputation as a leader in refugee protection.
• The government argues that the bill is needed for security and system integrity, but has not addressed all concerns about rights and fairness.
• If passed, the bill could lead to more legal challenges, increased desperation among vulnerable groups, and greater scrutiny from international bodies.

Limitations

• Bill C-2 is not yet law: It is at the first reading stage and must pass through several more steps before becoming law.
• Details may change: Parliamentary committees may propose amendments, and advocacy groups are actively lobbying for changes or withdrawal.
• Data is current as of June 2025: Asylum claim numbers and policy details may change as the legislative process continues.
• Long-term impacts are uncertain: The full effects on refugees, international students, and Canada’s immigration system will depend on how the bill is implemented and enforced.

Official Resources

For the full text of Bill C-2 and its current status, visit the Parliament of Canada’s official Bill Tracker.

For updates and advocacy materials, see Amnesty International Canada’s website.

For data and policy updates on asylum claims, visit Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

Practical Guidance and Next Steps

• Stay informed: Follow updates from the Parliament of Canada and Amnesty International Canada for the latest developments on Bill C-2.
• Seek legal advice: If you are an asylum seeker or international student affected by these changes, consult an immigration lawyer or accredited representative.
• Contact officials: Share your concerns or questions with your Member of Parliament or relevant government departments.
• Monitor advocacy efforts: Civil society groups are working to influence the bill’s final form; public input can make a difference.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the debate over Bill C-2 highlights the tension between border security and the protection of human rights in Canada 🇨🇦. The outcome will shape the country’s approach to asylum and immigration for years to come.

Contact Information

• Parliament of Canada: [email protected]
• Public Safety Canada: ps.ministerofpublicsafety-ministredelasecuritepublique.sp@canada.ca
• Amnesty International Canada: [email protected]

For ongoing updates, refer to the Parliament of Canada’s Bill Tracker and Amnesty International Canada’s campaign pages.

Learn Today

Bill C-2 → Canadian legislation titled Strong Borders Act aiming to reform asylum rules and immigration enforcement.
Asylum eligibility → Criteria determining who can legally apply for refugee protection in Canada.
Executive powers → Government authority to revoke or change immigration documents at its discretion.
Immigration and Refugee Board → Canadian tribunal reviewing asylum claims and refugee protection cases.
Safe Third Country Agreement → Treaty requiring asylum seekers to claim protection in the first safe country arrived at.

This Article in a Nutshell

Bill C-2, the Strong Borders Act, proposes major asylum restrictions and executive powers in Canada. Critics warn it threatens refugee rights and due process, while the government defends it as necessary for security and system integrity amid rising asylum claims, especially from international students.
— By VisaVerge.com