Reinstating Visas for Mexican Travellers to Save Taxpayers $660 Million per Year: Document

A Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) sign is seen in Calgary, Canada, on Aug. 1, 2019. Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press

Reinstating visas for air passengers from Mexico will save Canadian taxpayers around $660 million a year, as the money would have been spent investigating whether refugee claimants were legitimate, according to the Department of Immigration.

“Total benefits are estimated at $6.6 billion” over 10 years, the department wrote in a regulatory impact analysis statement, which was first covered by Blacklock’s Reporter.

“Reduced asylum claims cost savings as well as a reduction of primary inspection line activities at Canadian ports of entry and inland enforcement savings” accounted for the figure, it said.

The document added that despite “extensive efforts” by Canada and Mexico to address the situation, they had been unable to reduce the rise in unfounded asylum claims.

“Therefore, Mexico’s visa status is being adjusted to better manage migration, while preserving mobility,” it said.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced Canada was reintroducing the visa rule on Feb. 29.

“We needed to give Mexico, because of our friendship, the chance to rectify things,” Mr. Miller said.

“This clearly was not done, so we had to take a decision.”

The announcement came following a large increase in asylum claims from Mexico after the Liberal government lifted the visa requirement for Mexican visitors back in 2016. The number of claims surged from 110 back in 2015, to nearly 24,000 by 2023, with around 60 percent being withdrawn or rejected according to an immigration department release.

In 2016, a regulatory impact analysis statement predicted Canada’s decision to lift the visa requirement for Mexican travellers would cost around $262 million over the next decade, which would include $433.5 million in extra enforcement resources and added costs offset by $171.6 million in economic benefits through increased tourism from Mexico and a boost in trade opportunities.

Asylum Claims at Record Levels

The latest impact analysis statement said refugee claims by Mexican air passengers reached record levels after 2015, which had “generated unsustainable migration challenges.” It said the number of refugee claims reached over 24,000 in 2023, which was 18 percent of the total asylum intake in Canada.

The department said few of these claims were legitimate. With most Mexican claims being made at airports on arrival it was apparent that visiting, as opposed to claiming asylum, was the real purpose of their travel.

“The majority of Mexican claims are abandoned, withdrawn or rejected by the Immigration and Refugee Board,” said the document.

The $660 million annual savings represented “reduction in security screening, processing of claims, investigations, hearings, detentions, litigation and removals of failed asylum claimants,” it said.

The previous Conservative cabinet had cited costs in imposing the visa requirement in 2009 when asylum claims reached 9,511 that year, less than half the 2023 number.

“When it comes to Mexico, we know we came up with a way to strengthen our immigration system,” Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly told reporters on Feb. 29. “But we believe also that North America is always stronger when we’re working together.”

When asked if she was worried about a potential retaliation from the Mexican government, Ms. Joly answered, “We have a very good relationship with the Mexican government.”