Canada Temporarily Halts Private Refugee Sponsorships to Tackle Backlog

The IRCC reported an unprecedented demand for private sponsorships, surpassing the available slots under the current immigration framework. According to Canada‘s 2025-27 immigration plan, the nation aims to admit 23,000 privately sponsored refugees annually. For 2024, the overall refugee target is set at over 58,000. Yet, with more than 85,000 pending refugee claims as of October, the system is under considerable strain.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau acknowledged these challenges, stating the government could have acted more swiftly to address evolving immigration dynamics.

A System Under Pressure

In a YouTube address on Sunday, Trudeau outlined recent shifts in immigration policies, including a 20% reduction in permanent residency admissions by 2027, bringing the target to 365,000. He explained that the initial post-pandemic surge in immigration aimed to stabilize the labor market, a move he credited with averting a potential recession. However, Trudeau condemned unethical practices, such as exploitation by corporations and scams targeting immigrants with false promises of citizenship.

“Stabilizing population growth while addressing housing shortages is our immediate focus,” Trudeau said, adding that immigration rates would be increased gradually in the future.

Opposition Voices and Criticism

Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre criticized Trudeau’s approach, accusing the government of backtracking on its own policies. Poilievre emphasized the importance of legal immigration pathways, advocating for a system that ensures newcomers can fully integrate and thrive in Canadian society.

The Advocacy Groups of Canada Raise Concerns

Migrant advocacy groups have expressed concerns about how the changes have created confusion and left many immigrants vulnerable to fraud. Instances of scams, including deepfake videos impersonating immigration lawyers, have defrauded immigrants during this uncertain period.

Additionally, the surge of over 265,000 non-permanent residents arriving in Canada during the second quarter of 2024—many of whom are international students—has compounded the strain on the refugee system.

The Immigration Minister of Canada Marc Miller has promised reforms, including accelerated rejection processes for claims deemed unlikely to succeed.

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