Despite concerns over Trump’s policies, Canada’s immigration minister insists the U.S. is still a safe haven for refugees.
Ottawa: So, here’s the scoop. Refugee groups are really pushing back after Canada’s immigration minister said the U.S. is still a safe spot for transgender refugees, even with Trump in charge.
On his first day, Trump made some big moves, like signing orders that affect how gender is recognized and putting a hold on the refugee program. It’s a lot to unpack.
In a chat with CTV’s ‘Power Play,’ Immigration Minister Marc Miller stood firm, saying that despite all the noise from the Trump administration, he still sees the U.S. as safe under the Canada-U.S. Safe Third Country Agreement.
This agreement means that if someone is seeking refuge, they have to make their claim in the first country they land in, whether that’s Canada or the U.S.
But groups like the Canadian Council for Refugees and Amnesty International Canada are saying this just doesn’t add up. They’re worried about the attacks on trans rights and Trump’s policies on refugees.
Both organizations are gearing up for a legal battle against the Safe Third Country Agreement, which is set to hit the courts later this year.
This report was first published by The Canadian Press on January 22, 2025.
David Baxter, The Canadian Press
