Border Issues for Refugees

“The border is a place of plans constantly broken and repaired and broken.”  

At K-Hub’s October 2025 Lunch & Learn session, Kristine Marshall Staff Lawyer with the Canada-US Border Rights Clinic, provided an in-depth overview of the challenges faced by refugee claimants at the border. Drawing on real scenarios and current policy developments, Marshall explained how decisions made at ports of entry can alter the trajectory of a person’s life within moments. 

Marshall began by introducing the Canada-US Border Rights Clinic, a virtual pro bono legal service that assists individuals seeking access to Canada’s refugee protection system. The clinic responds to inquiries about eligibility to enter Canada, explains how the protection system operates, and advises individuals who have been sent back to the United States. In some cases, the clinic also provides legal representation in situations of wrongful turnback. However, it does not represent the clients in the hearings or assist with post arrival settlement needs. 

Safe Third Country Agreement   

The Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA), in effect since 2004, determines whether Canada or the United States will assess a refugee claim made at a land border. The core principle is that a refugee should seek protection in the first safe country they reach. The agreement operates on the assumption that both countries offer comparable refugee protection systems. 

Marshall outlined key exceptions that allow individuals to make a claim in Canada even when arriving from the United States: 

• Family in Canada: Claimants with qualifying relatives. 

• Unaccompanied minors: Children under 18 with no parents or guardians in either country. 

• Individuals holding valid Canadian immigration documents. 

• Public interest considerations, including individuals at risk of the death penalty. 

• Stateless persons who have lived long term in the United States. 

U.S. citizens are exempt from the STCA. This means that trans and other gender-diverse individuals who do not feel safe in the United States may still make a refugee claim in Canada. 

What makes a claim ineligible? 

A refugee claim is ineligible if the claimant does not meet any of the exceptions at the land border. Other grounds for ineligibility include: 

• A previous refugee claim in Canada 

• A previous claim in a Five Eyes country  

• Recognition as a Convention Refugee status in another country 

• Security or criminality concerns 

Marshall also discussed Bill C-12 (formerly C-2), which has passed second reading in the Parliament and proposes two additional grounds for ineligibility: 

1. Individuals who entered Canada irregularly 

2. Individuals who have previously been in Canada, who would be subject to a one-year waiting period before submitting a refugee claim 

Claimants in these categories would receive a hearing before the Refugee Board. Instead, they would only be eligible for a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) conducted by an IRCC officer through an interview or paper-based process. PRRA decisions offer fewer procedural safeguards and can only be appealed to the Federal Court. 

Marshall emphasized that Bill C-12 would shift many individuals, particularly irregular entrants away from the Refugee Board process toward PRRA. . This shift would reduce access to legal representation, increase wait times, and shift the system’s orientation from protection to enforcement, increasing pressures on the Federal Court system. 

What happens if someone is found ineligible under the STCA? 

Individuals found ineligible receive an exclusion order and may be sent back to the United States the same day. They are barred from re-entering Canada for one year unless they develop a new basis for a STCA exception, such as: 

1. New evidence of a qualifying family relationship 

2. A parent no longer being present leaves, making the child an unaccompanied minor 

3. An anchor relative’s PRRA being accepted 

If someone returns to Canada irregularly after being excluded, and more than 14 days have passed, the STCA no longer applies. They cannot be removed without first undergoing a PRRA. 

Tips for Safer Decisions 

Marshall emphasized that individuals should seek qualified legal advice and fully understand their circumstances before approaching the border. Error scan led to family separation, detention, or immediate return to the United States. Once refused, it is significantly more challenging to correct a decision. 

If turned back, possible actions include: 

• Requesting reconsideration from Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) with new evidence 

• Having U.S. authorities request reconsideration from CBSA 

• Challenging the decision in Federal Court 

• Making a second approach with additional supporting information, which may allow PRRA eligibility 

The Lunch & Learn series is a monthly virtual gathering hosted by the Newcomer Knowledge Hub. We provide informative presentations delivered by experts in the settlement sector. Whether you are a service provider, policymaker, student, or simply curious about the world of settlement, we invite you to join us at our next session by registering here.