Source: 51.CA

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According to Global News reports, the latest data provided by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) shows that in 2024, a total of 20,245 international students applied for asylum, setting a historical record. In the first three months of 2025, the number of asylum applications reached 5,500, surging 22% year-over-year, and it is expected that the full-year figures will set another record.

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This upward trend has occurred against the backdrop of the federal government cutting down on study permit numbers and tightening policies for international students. New Prime Minister Mark Carney (Mark Carney) promised to keep immigration at "sustainable levels" and continue along the path set by former Prime Minister Trudeau.

With regular immigration pathways tightened, international students are forced to "seek alternative routes."

Data shows that the number of asylum applications from international students in 2024 was almost double that of 2023 and six times that of 2019.

Several immigration lawyers pointed out that as Canada's immigration policy becomes stricter, the possibility of international students obtaining permanent residency through regular channels has significantly decreased, making the asylum route a "substitute solution" that some people have to consider.

"The government has closed many regular channels for international students to apply for immigration," said Chantal Desloges, an immigration lawyer in Toronto. "As a result, more and more people are forced to look for other options."

Federal government faces political pressure to "cool down" immigration

In his first press conference on May 2nd, Prime Minister Carney reiterated his commitment to reduce the total number of international students and temporary workers to below 5% of the national population by the end of 2027 (currently around 7%), helping to alleviate housing, public infrastructure, and social service pressures.

Image Source: 51 journalist's photo

Prime Minister Carney is expected to announce the new cabinet this Tuesday and may appoint a new Minister of Immigration.

Warren Creates, a senior Ottawa-based immigration lawyer, said that like Trudeau, Carney is facing political pressure from all sides to "tighten immigration."

"They realize they must take measures to cool things down, even if it brings negative consequences - which could impact applicants, their families, and even employers."

"We do have medical and housing crises, but these issues are not caused by refugees. Although they may exacerbate these problems to some extent, they are not the root cause."

Tightening of policies for international students targets "diploma mills"

Last year, the federal government cut the issuance of international student study permits by 40%, reducing it to about 360,000; at the same time, it restricted the legal working hours for international students and tightened the eligibility requirements for spousal work visas.

Former Immigration Minister Mark Miller called this series of policies a response to an "overheated system" aimed at combating so-called "diploma mills."

Desloges noted: "Some economic sectors are over-relying on international students."

"Some students work hard to finish their studies and obtain diplomas that are virtually worthless, not only unable to apply for work permits, but also having difficulty applying for immigration even with short-term work experience."

Immigration Canada responded by stating that the validity period of study permits usually covers several years, so the full impact of the policy cuts has yet to be fully realized.

"Considering these cuts are still in transition, overall, the proportion of study permit holders who apply for asylum remains small."

Which schools have the most asylum applications?

According to data from 2024, the top five universities with the highest number of asylum applications from international students are:

  • Conestoga College: 720 applications
  • Seneca College: 650 applications
  • Université du Québec à Chicoutimi: 500 applications
  • Niagara College Canada: 495 applications
  • Collège Ellis – Trois-Rivières (Three Rivers Campus): 475 applications

Global News contacted the above universities: Chicoutimi University responded that this situation is "concerning," but the school cannot control it, "We cannot predict the true intentions of students when they enroll, we admit based on academic performance."

Niagara College stated it is willing to cooperate with the federal government to support its refugee resettlement goals, but added that the immigration department does not notify schools when students apply for asylum.

Source Link:

  • https://globalnews.ca/news/11172597/international-students-record-asylum-claims/

Original Article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7503756740484252201/

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