The Canadian government has introduced sweeping new legislation aimed at tightening asylum rules and curbing the misuse of the immigration system amid a sharp rise in refugee claims, including from individuals claiming to belong to the Khalistan movement.
The bill, tabled Tuesday by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government, imposes stricter timelines for refugee applications — requiring claims to be made within 14 days of arrival. Those who apply after more than a year in Canada will no longer receive a hearing before the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB), though they will undergo a risk assessment to ensure they are not returned to conflict zones or unsafe conditions.
The proposed law also empowers officials to suspend or cancel immigration applications in bulk where systemic fraud is suspected. It revives asylum reforms previously blocked in Parliament and strengthens Canada’s response to concerns from the United States over border security and drug smuggling.
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said the changes are part of a broader effort to “restore balance to the system” and ensure Canada’s refugee protection framework remains credible and sustainable.
In recent years, officials have reported an increase in asylum applications from international students and temporary residents, particularly from India’s Punjab region. Government figures show that in the first eight months of 2024 alone, approximately 13,000 international students claimed asylum in Canada. While not all of these claims are linked to political activity, a significant number cite fears of persecution tied to pro-Khalistan sentiment.
Between 2013 and 2023, more than 6,500 individuals from India applied for asylum, with many claims citing Khalistani ideology.
A recent incident in Ontario has drawn public attention to growing community tensions allegedly linked to such dynamics. Indian-origin landlord Raman Kumar, now based in the U.S. for work, has accused a group of tenants—international students who moved into his Canadian property in October 2024—of not paying rent or utilities since January 2025.
In a video interview posted by independent journalist Nitin Chopra on X, a Khalistan flag is visibly tied to a post outside Kumar’s house. Kumar claims the flag was erected without his permission and has caused distress in the neighbourhood. “This is putting me under extreme mental stress,” he said.
“I live in a rented house myself, and these tenants are making my life miserable.”
He also alleges that more people are living in the home than were originally on the lease, and that local residents have filed noise complaints, especially over disturbances at night. Legal proceedings have begun, but Kumar warns the situation is escalating.
Chopra adds, “Some of the defaulter tenants has applied for Refugee status & now threatening the landlord with human rights violations.”
Indian security agencies have previously flagged a concerning pattern in which pro-Khalistan elements allegedly sponsor the migration of vulnerable Sikh youth from Punjab, offering support for visas and jobs in return for participation in separatist activities on Canadian soil.
It was reported that these youths, often struggling students or undocumented migrants, are reportedly recruited for protests, radical gatherings, or anti-India demonstrations. With significant influence over religious institutions in cities such as Surrey, Brampton, and Edmonton, extremist networks are accused of facilitating a form of human trafficking, exploiting Canada’s liberal immigration system with minimal oversight.
Canadian MP Michelle Rempel Garner has also raised alarm over the scale of visa overstays, stating,
“4.9 million people in Canada have expired visas or visas that are about to expire. Do they have a plan to ensure they will leave?”
She warned that the situation is worsening Canada’s housing crisis, healthcare wait times, and job scarcity, urging, “The Libs need to act, now.”
The new legislation also contains broader national security provisions, including:
• Enhanced powers for law enforcement to access electronic communications,
• Expanded authority to inspect mail and goods in transit,
• A cap on large cash transactions (above $10,000) to deter laundering,
• New powers for Canadian border agents to monitor chemical precursors used in drug production.
The Canadian Coast Guard will also gain powers to conduct patrols and share intelligence with security agencies.Officials say the legislation reflects growing concern over the impact of irregular migration on public services, housing, and community trust in the immigration system. While some critics warn that vulnerable people may be affected, the government maintains that refugee protection will remain available for those genuinely at risk.
“This is about fairness, security, and sustainability,” Minister Anandasangaree said, noting he will discuss the reforms with U.S. border officials in the coming weeks.
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