Alarming Spike in Asylum Claims by International Students, Says Immigration Minister Miller

A rising number of international students are reportedly seeking asylum in Canada, prompting concerns from Immigration Minister Marc Miller, who described this as an “alarming trend.” In an interview on The West Block, Miller emphasized that some individuals appear to be exploiting the international student program as a “backdoor entry” into the country, often to benefit from reduced tuition rates.

Miller’s comments came in response to questions about Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, a Pakistani national arrested in Quebec this month for allegedly planning a terrorist attack against Jewish targets in New York City. While he could not discuss Khan’s specific case due to ongoing legal proceedings, Miller noted the increasing number of asylum claims among international students.

“There’s a growing number, Mercedes, and it’s frankly quite alarming given the volumes of people that come to this country, in theory, with the proper financial capacity to live and to pay their tuition fees,” Miller explained. He pointed out that international students often claim asylum within their first year, sometimes citing less valid reasons, including attempts to access lower Canadian tuition rates.

According to Statistics Canada, while domestic students pay an average of $7,300 to $7,600 annually, international graduate students face fees exceeding $23,000, and international undergraduate students pay over $40,000.

In light of these developments, the Canadian government announced plans to reduce the issuance of international student permits by approximately 10% next year, following a previous cap that lowered intake levels by 35%. This initiative aims to decrease the proportion of temporary residents from 6.5% to 5% of Canada’s total population, amidst ongoing housing and public service strains.

Miller urged universities and colleges to enhance their recruitment and admissions processes, reiterating the importance of maintaining the integrity of the international student program. “This is a program aimed at international excellence and not a backdoor entry into Canada for whatever reason,” he stated.

Despite calls for improved screening practices, universities have reported a staggering 45% drop in international student enrollment this year, exceeding the federal government’s intended reductions.

The recent arrest of Khan, along with Ahmed and Mostafa Eldidi—who were charged in July for allegedly plotting an ISIS attack in Toronto—has put Canada’s security screening processes under scrutiny. In a recent appearance before the House of Commons National Security and Public Safety Committee, Miller expressed confidence in Canada’s security measures but acknowledged the need for continuous improvement.

“Am I entirely satisfied with where we are today? No,” he admitted. “We need to have a security apparatus that is constantly evolving, but we are much better off today than we were a few years ago.”

Miller has tasked his deputy minister with conducting an internal review of recent incidents, including the entries of Khan and the Eldidis, to identify any systemic issues. He stressed that border security challenges are not unique to Canada, highlighting the importance of collaboration with the U.S. and Mexico to strengthen security measures.

“We have to constantly make sure that we’re working to thwart these threats to Canada,” Miller concluded, emphasizing the ongoing need to address potential risks associated with individuals entering the country with harmful intentions.