The federal government is seeking new powers to cancel groups of temporary visas as part of its ongoing moves to tighten border controls, according to internal documents. The records reveal concerns particularly linked to fraudulent visitor visa applications from India and Bangladesh.
A presentation by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) indicates that Canadian agencies — along with unnamed U.S. counterparts — are working together to identify and cancel potentially fraudulent visa applications. The document notes “country-specific challenges” in India and Bangladesh and proposes mass visa cancellations during emergencies such as wars, pandemics, or in situations involving specific countries.
The proposal is part of Bill C-12, which evolved from the larger border bill C-2. Immigration Minister Lena Diab has publicly cited global crises like pandemics and wars to justify the need for these powers but has omitted references to India and Bangladesh.
More than 300 civil rights organizations have voiced concerns that such policies could facilitate “mass deportations.” Some immigration experts fear the measure aims to reduce growing backlogs, particularly as asylum claims from Indian nationals surged from under 500 per month in mid-2023 to nearly 2,000 by July 2024.
A rise in fraud-related scrutiny has already slowed visa processing. The average processing time for temporary resident visas (TRVs) from India jumped from 30 days in July 2023 to 54 days in July 2024, with approvals falling as resources were redirected toward verification.
The Immigration Department has said stricter TRV measures led to a significant drop in illegal border crossings and asylum claims. However, it declined to explain why India and Bangladesh were specifically highlighted in internal documents, or to identify the U.S. partners involved in the visa review process.
The broader geopolitical situation adds complexity, as Canada has recently moved to repair strained diplomatic ties with India following a 2023 assassination allegation that impacted bilateral relations. Both countries have now reappointed high commissioners and expressed interest in renewed cooperation.
Government officials say any mass visa cancellations would go through Cabinet approval and be publicly recorded in the Canada Gazette, noting reasons, affected groups, and legal considerations.
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