Canada is experiencing an unusual presence of migrants on its border with the United States. (Photo: Cuban Newspaper)
The President of the United States, Joe Biden, and the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, announced an agreement to stop illegal migration at the common border, during the American’s visit to his neighbor, reported AFP.
The agreement stemmed from the issue of “Roxham,” an irregular passageway that allowed some 40,000 migrants to reach Quebec from the US over the past year, thus evading official points of entry.
Biden said in his speech to parliament in Ottawa that the two countries will work together to discourage illegal crossings. The agreement removes a loophole in existing regulations and will allow both governments to turn away asylum seekers who arrive at their borders.
This arrival of migrants generated political tensions in Canada, where the problem is relatively new. The White House claims to understand the concerns of the neighboring country, but points out that the issue is also topical for the US, although in quite different proportions.
In exchange for the closure of Roxham Road, Ottawa would agree to receive some 15,000 asylum seekers from South and Central America through legal channels, easing pressure on the US southern border.
In a joint press conference, Trudeau explained that the new policy allows for the return of any non-US or Canadian citizen captured within 14 days of crossing the borders of these countries.
“As of midnight of this day, those who try to cross irregularly will be returned to the nearest crossing point with the United States. This will make it possible to deter illegal migration at the border while increasing legal migration,” said Trudeau, joined by the Democrat.
In addition, the Canadian added: “We are expanding the Safe Third Country Agreement to apply not only at designated ports of entry, but along the entire land border, including inland waterways, ensuring fairness and more orderly migration between our two countries.
During the month of February, the Customs and Border Protection agency only detected 15 people of Cuban origin on the northern border, which indicates a decrease in illegal crossings thanks to the program of parole humanitarian, applied since January for people from Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Haiti. The initiative has reduced the presence of migrants from these nations on the southern border of Mexico.
Biden’s visit was aimed at marking the renewed friendship between the two countries and working together on issues of common interest. This year, both presidents also met in Mexico for a meeting of “North American Leaders” with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.