According to official figures, only 0.3% of illegal immigrants in Canada have a serious criminal past.
Arguments over whether refugees pose a threat to the country’s security have not ceased in Canada during the past several years. This issue has been discussed in social networks, in the press, in the government, and even on the streets.
Since 2017, approximately 45,000 asylum seekers have entered Canada. According to official figures, only 30 people who crossed the border were denied asylum due to serious criminality. Another 110 people were declared inadmissible because of serious criminality after they had applied and lived in Canada for some time.
Ten people were denied asylum due to possible connections with organized crime. Ten more were denied due to possible threats to national security, and one person got a removal order for alleged human rights violations. Unlike serious crimes, these reasons for refusal do not mean that the person actually committed illegal actions.
This means that only 140 of the 45,000 illegal immigrants who have entered Canada since 2017 had a serious criminal past, and therefore could not apply for refugee status in Canada. This represents 0.3%of the total number of immigrants.
Experts note that these are consistent figures: if someone has a serious criminal record and is aware it can come to light, they are unlikely to apply for asylum as it is quite a strict process.
A serious crime is an act punishable by at least 10 years of imprisonment. Among 99.7% of illegal immigrants who applied for asylum, there may be people with a criminal record, but it is not a reason to reject their applications. Most refugees are ordinary people who left their countries not because of the crimes committed, but because their living conditions were intolerable.
Note that crossing the border to apply for refugee status is not a crime. Under international and Canadian laws, this action is a “justified” administrative offence: there are no penalties, and individuals cannot be charged or prosecuted.