Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) officials have implemented stringent border control measures, resulting in the refusal of entry to many Nigerian and Indian visitors at airports.
At Montreal airport, over 40 Indian visitors aboard Air Canada Flight No. AC-51 were denied entry and instructed to return home.
Similar incidents have affected the Nigerian diaspora, with reports indicating that a family friend visiting Canada was harassed and subsequently sent back to Nigeria the following day.
On June 29, another incident involved the rejection of an individual’s uncle, who was given the option to apply for refugee status due to purportedly not traveling with his spouse.
In a separate May incident in Montreal, visitors holding tourist visas were reportedly compelled to apply for refugee status, causing delays of approximately 12 hours.
Critics argue that these measures disproportionately affect genuine family members with valid visitor visas stamped in their passports.
“A visa is not an entry guarantee”
“It is important to note that a visitor visa or any other kind of visa on the nation’s passport is not a guarantee of entry to the country, according to Canadian law.”
“CBSA officials have the final say and can deny entry to foreign nationals if they find something fishy or not aligned with the purpose of the visit.
“However, a major factor of concern is that CBSA officials are offering individuals to file a refugee case after denying them entry.
“The country is already struggling to house refugees and manage the increasing number of international students applying for asylum, putting more stress on the system.
