With our correspondent in Quebec, Pascale Guericolas
The agreement on asylum seekers now applies to the entire border and not just at official entry points. This therefore means the immediate closure of Roxham Road, an unofficial crossing point through which 40 000 asylum seekers in 2022.
►Also read: Immigration and Haiti at the heart of discussions between Joe Biden and Justin Trudeau
It is now impossible for asylum seekers from the United States to try their luck in Canada, even through roundabouts like that. Canadian authorities will be able to send immigrants back to the United States up to 14 days after their illegal border crossing. In exchange, Canada agrees to host 15 000 new people.
Discourage illegal migration
« We are working together to address record levels of migration in our hemisphere. The Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection, which the United States and Canada signed last June – with nineteen other nations – represents a new integrated approach to the migration challenge, which is real. It brings together human policies that secure borders and support people », indicated Joe Biden.
The American president has sent a clear message about his country’s migration policy : « In the United States, we are expanding legal pathways for migration to safety on humanitarian grounds, while discouraging illegal migration, which fuels exploitation and human trafficking. So today, I applaud Canada for putting in place similar programs, opening up new legal avenues for 1 500 migrants from countries in the southern hemisphere. At the same time, the United States and Canada will work together to deter illegal border crossings and fully implement the updated Safe Third Country Agreement. »
Police support in Haiti
In addition, Joe Biden and Justin Trudeau have agreed to support the Haitian police to fight against the chaotic situation in this country. And the Canadian Prime Minister had a message for his elite. “ We are moving forward with sanctions. We will continue to work to put pressure on the elites and the Haitian political class to be responsible for once not for the distress of the Haitian people, but for the well-being of the Haitian people. “, he said.
The United States and Canada will contribute 70 million euros to support the Haitian police. “ Together we can improve police effectiveness and responsiveness by participating in police training, while talking with partners to get them involved too. So it’s evolving “says Joe Biden. For the moment, there is no question of an intervention force in Haiti led by Canada. But the American ally could no doubt soon return to the charge.
