Canada’s Strong Borders Act and Its Ripple Effect on Indian Asylum Seekers
World Politics | The WFY Magazine | June 2025 Edition
A closer look at the policy changes, their underlying motivations, and the consequences for the Indian diaspora in Canada
In the shifting landscape of global migration and border control, Canada’s latest legislative move—the Strong Borders Act—has ignited concern and conversation, especially among the Indian diaspora. As immigration continues to shape the demographic, economic, and cultural framework of nations, changes in asylum and immigration policy invariably ripple across continents, impacting lives and futures.
For Indians studying, working, or seeking refuge in Canada, this new Act marks a significant shift. It tightens asylum protocols, redefines eligibility timelines, and grants sweeping powers to Canada’s immigration and border enforcement authorities. While the government insists that the legislation is aimed at curbing transnational crime and ensuring the credibility of the asylum system, critics argue that it risks marginalising genuine claimants—particularly international students from countries like India and Nigeria, who constitute a large portion of recent asylum applications.
This article delves into the intricacies of the new legislation, unpacks the data, and explores the real-world implications for Indian nationals navigating the Canadian immigration system.
The Strong Borders Act: An Overview
Tabled in the Canadian Parliament in May 2025 by Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, the Strong Borders Act is designed to “keep our border secure, combat transnational organised crime and fentanyl trafficking, and disrupt illicit financing.” The legislation aims to modernise border security, tighten asylum procedures, and streamline the powers of immigration authorities under the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
At its core, the bill introduces several major changes:
- Strict Time Limits on Asylum Applications: Claims filed more than a year after arrival in Canada (dating back to June 24, 2020) will no longer be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB).
- In-Country Claim Requirement: Only those physically present in Canada may have their claims adjudicated by the IRB. If a claimant leaves and returns, they may lose eligibility.
- Land Border Restriction: Asylum seekers entering via the US-Canada border between ports of entry must file within 14 days of arrival. Delays beyond this period will render the claim invalid.
- Enhanced Information Sharing: IRCC is authorised to share identity and status data with federal, provincial, and territorial entities under formal agreements.
- Document Control Powers: The IRCC can suspend, cancel, or modify immigration documents en masse, including pausing or cancelling existing applications.
Additionally, the Canadian Coast Guard will receive extended powers for security patrols and data gathering, although the bill does not re-establish the port policing infrastructure disbanded in the 1990s.
The Migration Spike: India Tops the Charts
Indians are the leading nationality seeking settlement in Canada, many under study permits
Recent figures from IRCC reveal a sharp rise in asylum claims from Indian nationals. In 2024, Canada received 171,850 total residency claims—of which over 32,000 were from Indians, making them the largest national cohort of claimants.
What stands out, however, is the number of residency claims filed by international students, many of whom come from India. More than 20,245 asylum claims were filed by students in 2024, with India and Nigeria leading the figures. In the first nine months of 2024 alone, 13,660 student residency claims were registered, and the highest among them were:
- India: 2,290
- Nigeria: 1,990
The trend has accelerated in 2025. In just the first quarter of the year, 5,500 residency claims were submitted by international students—a 22% increase from the same period in 2024. This surge signals both rising desperation among student populations and increasing scrutiny from Canadian authorities.
Why Are Indian Students Seeking Residency?
The reasons behind this phenomenon are complex and layered. For some, residency applications are a desperate attempt to remain in Canada after academic failure, loss of funding, or visa complications. For others, the motivations are more serious—fear of persecution, caste or gender-based violence, religious intolerance, or political instability in their home regions.
However, critics point to a growing misuse of the asylum system by unscrupulous immigration consultants and education agents. In many cases, international students are allegedly misled into using asylum claims as a ‘Plan B’ when their primary visa status is at risk. This trend, though not exclusive to Indian nationals, is particularly visible given India’s dominant presence in the foreign student population.
As per the High Commission of India in Ottawa, 427,000 Indian students were studying in Canada in 2024—making India the largest source country for international students in the country.
Study Permit Decline: A Telling Sign
In a direct repercussion of this trend, study permit approvals for Indian students dropped by 31% in the first quarter of 2025. According to IRCC data:
- Q1 2024 Approvals: 44,295
- Q1 2025 Approvals: 30,500
This sharp decline is interpreted by experts as a consequence of both policy tightening and reputational concerns. Canadian universities and visa officers are becoming increasingly cautious, screening applications more stringently.
Widening the Crackdown: Policy vs. Protection
While the Canadian government maintains that the Strong Borders Act is essential for preserving the integrity of the asylum system, concerns abound about its potential misuse and unintended effects:
1. Over-Criminalisation of Asylum Seekers
By equating asylum applications with security threats, the new legislation risks painting genuine claimants—especially students and temporary workers—as suspects rather than protectees.
2. Loss of Due Process
The stipulation that claims must be filed within strict timelines, irrespective of circumstances, could deny justice to vulnerable groups, such as LGBTQ+ asylum seekers or victims of domestic violence, who often delay filing due to trauma or fear.
3. Impact on Indian Families and Diaspora Networks
Given the size and reach of the Indian diaspora in Canada—estimated at 1.8 million people—these changes are likely to create emotional and legal turmoil for families awaiting reunification or facing asylum rejection.
Legal and Human Rights Response
The Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers (CARL) and Amnesty International Canada have expressed serious concerns about the bill’s ramifications. In a joint statement, they noted:
“Asylum is a fundamental human right under international law. Placing arbitrary deadlines and expanding executive power to deny claims risks violating Canada’s obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention.”
Several immigration consultants also warn that the policy may push people into the shadows, triggering undocumented migration and labour exploitation, rather than addressing the root causes of the asylum surge.
India–Canada Relations: A Delicate Balancing Act
These developments come at a time of heightened tension between India and Canada. The diplomatic row over allegations of interference and rising concerns about Indian separatist activities in Canadian territories have soured bilateral trust.
In this charged context, the tightening of immigration rules is seen by some observers as an indirect message—one that reflects a broader recalibration of Canada’s openness, especially toward large-source countries like India.
However, Canada must tread carefully. India is a major trade partner, and the Indian diaspora contributes significantly to Canada’s education sector (valued at CAD 22 billion annually), real estate, technology, and healthcare industries. Alienating this group could come at a substantial socio-economic cost.
The Way Forward: Balancing Control and Compassion
It is undeniable that Canada, like many Western nations, is grappling with the strain on its asylum and immigration infrastructure. The surge in global displacement—fueled by war, climate crisis, and economic disparity—requires robust systems and sensible regulation.
But policies like the Strong Borders Act must be weighed against human dignity, international legal obligations, and the principle of non-refoulement (not returning refugees to danger).
For Indian nationals seeking asylum or immigration pathways, the road ahead is now fraught with added complexity. What is urgently needed is greater awareness, legal literacy, and honest guidance—especially for students and temporary migrants, who remain most vulnerable to misinformation and exploitation.
Conclusion: A Turning Point in Canada’s Immigration Story
The Strong Borders Act is more than a legislative document—it is a signal of Canada’s evolving stance on who gets to stay, who must leave, and how the country defines its humanitarian identity in the 21st century.
For the Indian diaspora, both in Canada and globally, this moment calls for vigilance, unity, and engagement. The WFY urges community leaders, students, policymakers, and citizens to stay informed and advocate for fair, transparent, and humane immigration reforms.
Canada, long considered a beacon of hope and refuge, must ensure that in protecting its borders, it does not close the doors on justice.
© The WFY Magazine – June 2025 | World Politics
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