This article talks about the closure of Canada's Roxham Road, one of the most famous unofficial border crossings into the country, which has put up warnings that asylum seekers may be sent back to the US. In the past, Canada has welcomed refugees and pledged to increase immigration to the country by 1.5 million by 2025, earning it a reputation as being more open to migrants than many other Western nations. However, a surge of nearly 40,000 migrants in recent months has overwhelmed Canadian provincial governments. 

President Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently announced an amendment to the Safe Third Country Agreement, which has previously permitted migrants to walk into Canada at unofficial crossing points and file an asylum claim. Following years of review, The Federal Court of Canada has found that the original Agreement violates part of Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well as the country’s obligations under international treaties.

Canada has agreed to accept 15,000 migrants from Central and South America who are fleeing persecution and poverty, while the US has agreed to take back those seeking entry via unofficial crossings. Many human rights are arguing that the United States’ immigration policies make it an unsafe country for asylum seekers to return to. The Supreme Court of Canada is expected to issue a decision on an appeal for the case this year.