International Law

Mexican Refugee Claims Jump In Calgary

By immlawyer

Recent CBC article here indicates the jump in refugee claims from Mexico in Calgary (with the director of a non-profit suggesting it was due to the existence of a direct flight from Mexico City to Calgary).

My own experience and what I've heard from other immigration lawyers here suggests the same - Mexico is the top source country (perhaps followed closely by Haiti).

At the same time, the situation in Mexico is quite fluid at this time, with a number of country condition documents/evidence suggesting that it is on the verge of being a 'failed state'.

While the refugee acceptance rate is below 20% for Mexican refugee claims, I would envision a higher acceptance rate for a subsequent humanitarian and compassionate application which can encompass broader issues such as hardship and generalized country conditions.

Full post as published by Canadian Immigration Blawg on March 23, 2009 (boomark / email).