Mexico “regrets” Ottawa’s decision to reimpose a visa for Mexican nationals in order to curb the flow of asylum seekers.
In a Spanish-language statement released Thursday, Mexico’s Foreign Ministry said “there were other options before implementing this measure” and that the country reserves the right “to act in a reciprocal manner.” “.
Federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller confirmed that the Mexican government was “disgruntled” but did not fear trade repercussions.
“Mexico is a sovereign country that has the right [de] take whatever action he pleases. That said, I had no indication—apart obviously from the fact that I confirm that they are not happy—I had no indication when I spoke to the Minister of Foreign Affairs that there would be trade measures that would be put into effect,” Minister Miller said at a press briefing in Ottawa.
The return of the visa comes into effect on Thursday at 11:30 p.m. The measure will only apply to approximately 40% of travelers traveling to Canada annually.
Nationals who have already obtained a visa in Canada in the last ten years will be exempt from this measure, as will Mexicans coming to study or work in the country. They will nevertheless need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).
The Trudeau government ended the visa requirement for these nationals in December 2016. The Prime Minister had then just promised during the election campaign to cancel this measure, introduced in 2009 by the previous government, under Stephen Harper.
Pressure from Quebec
Quebec Immigration Minister Christine Fréchette welcomed Ottawa’s decision, but reiterated that more measures will be necessary.
“It’s an important step that has just been taken, but it won’t solve everything. The number of asylum seekers welcomed by Quebec is far too high and our services are saturated. The federal government must distribute the ADs throughout Canada,” responded the minister.
The latter also welcomes having put pressure on the federal government, arguing that “this announcement is proof that Quebec is able to make itself heard in Ottawa”.
In a letter sent at the start of the year, Prime Minister François Legault urged his counterpart Justin Trudeau to curb the influx of asylum seekers, otherwise Quebec will reach its “breaking point”. The number of asylum seekers from Mexico increased from 260 in 2016 to 22,405 in 2023, as of November.
Minister Miller acknowledges that pressure from Quebec and Ontario, the two provinces receiving the most asylum seekers, “played an important role” in the decision to reimpose the visa.
“We see ourselves that there are unacceptable flows and acceptance rates [sont trop bas]. We see that Mexican nationals withdraw their application, leave or are unsuccessful… This weighs in the decision,” the minister said.
François Legault’s government calculates the expenses incurred over the last three years in welcoming asylum seekers at more than a billion dollars.