Canadian advocacy group demands better protections for undocumented migrants

Solidarity Across Borders is demanding that politicians stop using immigrants as political scapegoats.

“How many times have we seen politicians say [incorrect things about] migrants that don’t make any sense,” said Hady Anne, a spokesperson for Solidarity Across Borders.

They’re asking Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante to deliver on a 2017 campaign promise to make Montreal a sanctuary city for undocumented migrants.

Yassine, a member of Solidarity Across Boards said, “In 2017, the Mayor of Montreal promised that it would be a sanctuary city. That means a city without borders— it protects people who have no migratory status and no papers. They needn’t be afraid, they don’t wear masks to hide their faces in public, in the metro, in city services, and so on.”

They deplore The Safe Third Country Agreement — between Canada and the United States — which limits the ability of asylum seekers to submit a refugee claim and has a loophole: if the person enters Canada clandestinely and evades the authorities for two weeks, they can claim asylum.

U.S. President Donald Trump promised “the largest deportation operation in American history,” during his election campaign. After taking office on January 20, he ordered military and immigration officials to prepare to implement the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, which allows the president to deport, detain, or place restrictions on individuals whose primary allegiance is to a foreign power and those who could pose a national security risk in wartime. 

In 2018 Anne sought asylum in Canada via Roxham Road. He spent 16 years in the United States being undocumented and says that he “never felt safe.”

“Last week, someone who tried to cross a border was found death,” said Anne. “Why tell people to hide? Why not open the border and let people come and seek asylum?

Ali Shahbaz arrived in Canada in 1996 and has been deported twice but remained in Canada because he had no other home.

Having no status, Shahbaz was not entitled to many services, such as seeking medical attention at a hospital, for over 20 years.

In 2019 he was ill and unable to pay his rent. After presenting himself to the Immigration and Refugee Board at Montreal’s Guy Favreau Complex with his cat was detained for 10 months by the Canadian Border Services Agency. His cat had been given to the SPCA and died.

Finally, after almost thirty years, Shahbaz recently received his permanent residency. He displays it proudly. A skilled goldsmith who now plans to open a jewelry-making business. 

“It’s a good feeling, I am very happy, no headache, it’s finished,” said Shahbaz.