The US is depriving refugees of the right to work while Canada is still winning in terms of humanity
While some countries are tightening immigration rules, Canada remains one of the few examples where humanitarian policy is still focused on protecting people (at least it makes it seem like it). While the US government is doing everything to limit asylum seekers in basic opportunities for survival, Canada, despite its own difficulties, still allows applicants to preserve their human dignity.
A recent initiative of the Trump administration is the actual abolition of the right to work for asylum seekers. According to this, work authorizations will not be issued until the agency reaches the average processing time of applications of 180 days (ATTENTION! this now might take several years)‼. But the reality is that the US system has not met such deadlines for many years due to overload, bureaucracy and a lack of staff.
In fact, access to legal employment will be closed for most applicants for at least a year, or even longer. Even 12 months after applying for asylum, the applicants will not be able to obtain the right to work if the system does not achieve its unrealistic goal.
This measure is openly aimed at curbing the flow of immigrants, because, frankly speaking, many applied for a refugee status knowing that they wouldn’t win the case and simply used this time to make money in the United States.
Unlike the US, Canada currently provides asylum seekers with an open work permit almost immediately after filing an application.
The process usually takes up to a month. It remains valid until the final decision on the case is being made and can be extended if the case reviewing is delayed.
There are other, also pretty crucial differences. For instance, in Canada, when applying for asylum, the applicant's passport is confiscated, which excludes the possibility of leaving and reduces the risk of abuse. In the United States, the passport remains with the applicant, which is often used as an argument against the system. As they say it is too easy to leave and disappear without waiting for a decision: you make as much money as you can and then disappear without a trace.
The difference in approaches is obvious. The US is moving towards an even more closed and repressive model, in which asylum seekers are viewed as a threat rather than as people in need of protection.
Canada, however, still retains the characteristics of a country that, despite its bureaucracy and slow procedures, still recognizes the basic principles of humanity.
But again "for now" is the key word. We see the global trend which aims at narrowing the channels of humanitarian immigration. What is available in Canada today may be cancelled or limited tomorrow. Therefore, if you already started the process, do not to waste time and do not postpone the application submission. Do not miss your chance to get the protection from the government.
Oleksandra Melnykova, Immigration and Refugee Consultant in Canada
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