Asylum Myths and Facts

Your answers to a few common misconceptions

Photo: © UNHCR/Dann Yamsuan

Welcome to our myth-busting guide on asylum-seekers in Canada

There are a lot of questions about asylum-seekers and our hope is to help clear up some confusion and common misinformation. By debunking these myths, we aim to promote understanding, empathy, and factual information about people seeking asylum in Canada.

First, some key terms you should know:

Asylum-seeker: An asylum-seeker, also known in Canada as a refugee claimant, is someone who has fled their home country due to persecution, war, or violence, and has applied for asylum (protection) in another country. They seek safety and refuge in a foreign country because they fear persecution or a risk to their life if they return to their home country. People who seek asylum are protected under international and Canadian law, which means that when they ask for asylum in Canada, they have the right to be heard and to receive fair treatment while their case is being considered.

Refugee: A refugee is someone who has been granted asylum in another country because they have been recognized as fleeing persecution, war, or violence in their home country. Refugees have legal protection and rights in the country where they are granted asylum. When someone is officially recognized as a refugee in a country, it means they are given legal protection. This protection ensures that they won’t be sent back to a place where they could be in danger. They also have rights to things like education, healthcare, and work opportunities, just like other people living in that country.

❌ Myth: Seeking asylum is a privilege, not a right 
✅ Fact: Seeking asylum is a fundamental human right 

According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), every person whose life is in danger in their own country has the right to seek protection and asylum in another country. Canada, as a signatory to the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, has promised to respect that right in its laws. The Canadian government has established an independent and robust system to assess and determine asylum applications. Importantly, under both international law and Canada’s own domestic law, the right to seek asylum remains protected, regardless of the method or mode of entry into the country.

❌ Myth: Canada receives too many refugees 
✅ Fact: Canada hosts a small portion of the world’s refugees

Canada hosts only a small portion of the world’s refugees. Low- and middle-income countries host almost three-quarters, or 71%, of the world’s displaced people. By mid-2024, the Islamic Republic of Iran hosted 3.8 million refugees, Türkiye hosted 3.1 million refugees, and Colombia hosted 2.8 million. Canada receives less than 1% of the world’s refugees. In 2024, asylum-seekers accounted for less than 1% of Canada’s total population.

❌ Myth: Asylum-seekers take advantage of Canada’s immigration system to stay in Canada
✅ Fact: In Canada, seeking asylum is a human right that can only be claimed if you are in the country

People fleeing violence or danger must be physically in Canada before they can claim asylum. A person cannot apply for asylum from their home country. For many people, this means asylum-seekers often have no choice but to use whatever means they can to reach safety. This may include entering with insufficient documentation, improperly obtained visas, or more dangerous measures such as relying on human smugglers.

It doesn’t matter how they arrive in Canada, they have a right to ask for protection. People seeking asylum cannot be penalized for the way in which they entered the country, according to international law. It is up to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada to decide if their claim for protection is valid.

❌ Myth: Most asylum claims are not valid
✅ Fact: The majority of people seeking asylum are recognized as in need of protection

The vast majority of asylum-seekers who come to Canada are fleeing violence and persecution. By mid-2024, based on claims finalized on the merits, which excludes abandoned and withdrawn claims, approximately eight out of every ten asylum-seekers were recognized as refugees in need of protection by the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) of the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB)  — the tribunal responsible for evaluating asylum claims. This underscores that seeking asylum is a matter of safety.

❌ Myth: Asylum-seekers take the place of other immigrants
✅ Fact: Asylum is a lifeline for those in need of protection

One common misunderstanding is that asylum-seekers are taking the spaces of those looking to immigrate to Canada. This is not the case.

When someone seeks asylum, they’re not trying to get ahead of someone else who is coming to Canada for a new job. Instead, they’re asking for protection because they’re in danger in their home country. This is a completely different process from regular immigration.

❌ Myth: Canada’s asylum system is broken
✅ Fact: Canada’s asylum system is robust and fair

Canada has consistently demonstrated that it has a robust asylum system which has the capacity to manage an increase in arrivals with some small changes. While there is always room for improvement, the system is designed to be fair and responsive, ensuring that those who come seeking safety are given a chance to make their case. In fact, while many asylum-seekers in Canada are found to have valid refugee claims, some are not, which underscores the system’s ability to determine genuine requests for protection.

How Canada’s asylum system works

In Canada, we have a system to assess and determine asylum applications through an independent tribunal called the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB). Here’s how it works:

1. Assessment Process: When someone seeks asylum (makes a refugee claim), an independent decision-maker carefully evaluates their case. They consider the claimant’s testimony, any evidence provided and information about the country they fled. The goal is to determine if the person genuinely fears persecution in their home country due to race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion. It is also possible to get protection if the claimant proves their life is at risk or they risk cruel and unusual treatment in their home country.

2. No Free Passes: Contrary to the myth, seeking asylum doesn’t mean a free ticket to stay in Canada. If a claim is rejected and all legal avenues have been exhausted, the individual will be requested to leave Canada or deported if they do not voluntarily leave.

❌ Myth: Asylum-seekers contribute to crime in Canada
✅ Fact: The asylum process ensures Canadians’ safety and security

Asylum-seekers come to Canada to flee danger and violence. They want to start a new life, not cause trouble. In 2023, fewer than 1% of all foreign nationals in Canada, of which refugee claimants are a small proportion, were suspected of having a serious criminal background.

When entering Canada, they undergo rigorous screening procedures. Canadian authorities assess them for potential security threats. If an asylum-seeker is found to represent a security risk or is convicted/suspected of serious criminality, they will be excluded from receiving refugee status. This means their request for asylum will be denied, and after all legal avenues have been exhausted, the individual will be requested to leave Canada or deported if they do not voluntarily leave.

❌ Myth: Asylum-seekers place a strain on social systems in place
 ✅ Fact: Asylum-seekers contribute to Canada’s workforce and economy

It is not surprising that many asylum-seekers initially receive social assistance as they are required to obtain a work permit, which could take several months. Over time, the overwhelming majority obtain work permits, find employment, and contribute to our economy. In 2021, up to 79% of asylum-seekers reported employment income. For example, more than 3,000 asylum-seekers and their families were granted a path to permanent residency after they worked in the Canadian health care system during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is also worth noting that past studies have shown that refugees contribute far more to Canada through the taxes they will pay than the services they receive. Regarding schools and education, in 2023, asylum-seeker children under the age of 14 constituted merely 0.5% of children in this age group in Canada.

❌ Myth: Asylum-seekers place a strain on housing
✅ Fact: Asylum-seekers make up a very small proportion of Canada’s population

In the first quarter of 2024 asylum-seekers made up 0.46% of Canada’s population. Asylum-seekers and refugees are not primarily responsible for the housing issues in this country. In fact, asylum-seekers and refugees face the same challenges as all other Canadians in accessing affordable housing. There is no research to suggest that people fleeing violence or persecution are the main drivers of Canada’s affordable housing issues. These challenges existed long before asylum claims started increasing in 2023.

Looking for more information? Head over to our statistics on asylum-seekers in Canada page.

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