This year, the number of Indians seeking asylum at Canadian airports has broken all the records. From January 2024 to June 2024, in these 6 months, 16,800 Indians have sought asylum at Canadian airports.
Out of these, 30 percent of people are from Punjab alone. This figure is surprising because in the whole of last year, i.e., in the year 2023, 11,265 people sought asylum. Whereas in the year 2022, only 4100 Indians and in 2021, only 1495 Indians sought asylum in Canada. As compared to the first six months of last year i.e. year 2023, in this year, 2024, there has been a significant jump of up to 500 percent in the cases of Indians seeking asylum.
Canadian officials are also surprised by the sudden increase in cases of Indians seeking asylum at Canadian airports because, in the past years, this figure has remained within a limited range. Whereas in 2024, all the old records will have been broken. However, the Canadian government has not said anything about India in this regard yet.
Not just in India, but claims from Bangladeshis have increased by over 1,200% at Canadian airports and by around 700% from Nigerians.
Why do people seek asylum?
Most of the asylum seekers in Canada cite threats to their lives and their families' lives in India, such as political pressure, religious pressure, etc. They easily get the opportunity to apply for asylum at the airport itself. On the other hand, due to the fear of not getting entry on a valid visa in Canada, they enter Canada by seeking asylum. People who have already received asylum are also suggesting this method to their families as an easy way to settle in Canada. This method is also being adopted by people who are going to Canada on student visas, spouse visas, tourist visas, etc.