The Canadian government is looking to enhance its ability to invalidate visa applications for groups of visa holders, particularly from India and Bangladesh, citing concerns of potential fraud. An internal document obtained by CBC News revealed that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), in collaboration with undisclosed U.S. partners, are working on measures to identify and annul fraudulent visitor visa applications.
This joint effort by Canadian entities and U.S. partners aims to strengthen authorities in rejecting and annulling visas, with a specific focus on addressing issues related to visa applications from India and Bangladesh. The document outlined various scenarios where mass cancellation powers could be utilized, including situations like a pandemic, war, and cases involving visa holders from specific countries.
Notably, Immigration Minister Lena Diab publicly stated that the government’s pursuit of these powers is in response to potential crises such as a pandemic or war, without explicitly mentioning country-specific visa holders. The presentation sheds light on Ottawa’s rationale behind seeking mass cancellation powers, which were proposed as part of Bill C-2, the comprehensive border legislation, and later incorporated into C-12 for expedited parliamentary approval.
Concerns have been raised by over 300 civil society groups regarding the legislation, with some expressing apprehension that group cancellations could pave the way for a “mass deportation machine.” Additionally, speculations have emerged among immigration lawyers questioning whether the government’s interest in mass cancellations is linked to addressing the mounting backlog of visa applications.
The document highlighted a surge in asylum claims from Indian nationals, rising from under 500 per month in May 2023 to approximately 2,000 by July 2024. Verification processes for temporary resident visa applications from India were identified as a bottleneck, leading to a slowdown in application processing times and a decline in approvals as resources were redirected to verification efforts.
Furthermore, the presentation mentioned an increase in instances of passengers from India being denied boarding, with nearly 1,873 applicants flagged for further investigation and provided procedural fairness letters outlining their rights and potential legal actions. Notably, no data regarding claims from Bangladesh was included in the document.
While the government is actively pursuing expanded visa cancellation powers, efforts are also underway to mend relations with India, which have been strained since allegations in 2023 involving Indian agents in the assassination of a Canadian Sikh separatist activist. Recent diplomatic engagements, including a visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Canada, signal a renewed interest in revitalizing bilateral ties.
The proposed measures for mass visa cancellations are part of broader initiatives aimed at enhancing border security and curbing fraudulent activities. The government emphasized that decisions regarding mass cancellations would be subject to thorough review and oversight, with each instance requiring approval by the Governor in Council and detailed justification in the Canada Gazette.