Canada has passed significant amendments to its border security and immigration regulations through Bill C-12.
The legislation, known as the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, introduces several new mandates. The Canadian government now possesses the authority to temporarily halt the processing or acceptance of permanent residency, work permits, study permits, temporary resident visas, and electronic travel authorizations (eTAs) based on public interest.
Immigration officials have received legal permissions to revoke or suspend previously granted immigration documents and visas if there are concerns regarding fraud, national security, or the integrity of the immigration system. The law requires people who arrived in the country after 24 June 2020 to file asylum claims within one year of their arrival.
If these applications are submitted past the one-year mark, they may be deemed ineligible for referral to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB). For those entering Canada from the United States via unofficial land border crossings, the deadline to apply for asylum is set at 14 days.
Failure to meet this 14-day window may result in cases not being referred to the IRB for consideration. Asylum claims can be treated as withdrawn or abandoned if an applicant fails to provide requested documentation, misses mandatory immigration interviews, or returns to their home country.
Furthermore, various Canadian government agencies and departments are now permitted to share personal data, such as immigration status and passport details, to detect misuse of the system, misrepresentation, or fraud.
