Canada’s Efforts to Enhance Asylum Processing in the Americas
From: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Canada’s Commitment to Asylum Seekers
September 1, 2022—Ottawa—Canada remains dedicated to safeguarding the world’s most vulnerable populations. Amid ongoing challenges to access international protection, Canada pledges to ensure those in dire need find a secure route to safety.
Canada, through its leadership in the Comprehensive Regional Protection and Solutions Framework (MIRPS), continues to bolster asylum processing capabilities in Central America and Mexico. This commitment includes three capacity-building projects over two years with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
Key Projects to Boost Asylum Processing
The first project aims to enhance the Mexican Commission for Refugees Assistance by providing safer and more private spaces for processing asylum seekers. Mobile asylum claim offices will be deployed to areas with high claim influxes or to augment existing offices.
The second initiative focuses on expanding the Mexican Commission’s ability to process asylum claims. Investment in digitizing case files will expedite claim processing, reduce data loss risks, and ensure asylum seekers receive timely and accurate case status updates.
The third project enhances asylum capacity in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Honduras, offering technical and operational support. This support includes reducing claim backlogs, training officials on country of origin information, and sharing best practices among asylum and immigration officials.
Support and Collaboration for Refugees
Canada’s ongoing support for these projects underscores its commitment as a MIRPS Support Platform member. Collaborating with partner countries, financial institutions, the private sector, regional bodies, and other stakeholders, Canada aims to provide sustainable support for refugees and their host communities.
Voices of Support
“Canada has a long-standing tradition of aiding those in need of protection. Amid global crises of persecution and displacement, we remain committed to strengthening asylum systems in Mexico and Central America to ensure critical protection for the vulnerable.”
– The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
“Latin America faces a complex displacement crisis. Coordinated regional efforts are essential to offer asylum and alternative migration pathways. Canada’s support in strengthening asylum systems in Mexico and Central America is commendable.”
– José Samaniego, Regional Director for the Americas Bureau of the UNHCR
Essential Insights
MIRPS Support Platform, launched by High Commissioner Filippo Grandi in 2019, aids responsibility sharing for forced displacement in Central America and Mexico, supporting protection efforts and resource mobilization.
Members of the MIRPS Support Platform include Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, the EU, France, Spain, Switzerland, Uruguay, the US, the Inter-American Development Bank, and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, with support from the UNHCR.
Over one million individuals have been displaced from Central America and Mexico due to violence, inequality, poverty, and food insecurity.
Further Reading and Resources
- Canada opens the Comprehensive Regional Protection and Solutions Framework Support Platform Signature Event
- Canada launches new initiative to protect vulnerable women and girls in Central America
- Minister Fraser concludes successful first visit to Guatemala
Contact Information
Media Inquiries Only
Aidan Strickland
Press Secretary
Minister’s Office
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
aidan.strickland@cic.gc.ca
Media Relations
Communications Branch
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-952-1650
IRCC.COMMMediaRelations-RelationsmediasCOMM.IRCC@cic.gc.ca
