On a visit to Canada, Joe Biden shows his firmness against illegal immigration

Joe Biden and Justin Trudeau with their respective wives at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, in Ottawa, March 24, 2023. AP - Andrew Harnik

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U.S. President Joe Biden ended his visit to Canada on Friday, March 24, the first to his closest ally since taking office two years ago. Together, the President and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau agreed to review the agreement between the two countries for asylum seekers. The situation in Haiti was also discussed.

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With our correspondent in Quebec City, Pascale Guéricolas

The agreement on asylum seekers now applies to the entire border and not just to official ports of entry. This means the immediate closure of Roxham Road, the unofficial crossing point through which 40,000 asylum seekers passed in 2022.

► READ ALSO: Immigration and Haiti at the heart of discussions between Joe Biden and Justin Trudeau

It is now impossible for refugee claimants from the United States to try their luck in Canada, even through circuitous crossings like this one. Canadian authorities will be able to return immigrants to the U.S. for up to 14 days after they illegally cross borders. In exchange, Canada commits to welcoming 15,000 new people.

Discouraging illegal migration

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We are working together to address record levels of migration in our hemisphere. The Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection, which the United States and Canada signed last June – along with nineteen other nations – represents a new, integrated approach to the migration challenge, which is real. It brings together human policies that secure borders and support people," Biden said.

The US president sent a clear message about his country's migration policy: "In the United States, we are expanding legal pathways to safety on humanitarian grounds, while discouraging illegal migration, which fuels exploitation and human trafficking. So today, I applaud Canada for implementing similar programs, opening new legal pathways for1,500 migrants from countries in the Global South. At the same time, the United States and Canada will work together to deter illegal border crossings and fully implement the updated Safe Third Country Agreement.

Support for the police in Haiti

In addition, Joe Biden and Justin Trudeau have agreed to support the Haitian police to fight the chaotic situation in this country. And the Canadian Prime Minister had a message for his elite. "We are moving forward with sanctions. We will continue to work to put pressure on Haitian elites and political class to be responsible for once not for the plight of the Haitian people, but for the well-being of the Haitian people," he said.

The United States and Canada will contribute €70 million to support the Haitian police. "Together, we can improve the effectiveness and capacity of the police by participating in their training, while holding talks with partners to get them involved as well. So it's evolving," Biden said. At this time, there is no question of a Canadian-led task force in Haiti. But the American ally could probably return to the charge soon.

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Read on on the same topics:

• United States
• Canada
• International migration
• Haiti
• Joe Biden
• Justin Trudeau