The Canadian Ambassador to Mexico, Graeme C. Clark said on Thursday that while restoring visa requirements for Mexicans, “Canada seeks to address the context that has allowed an increase in the number of Mexicans arriving in our country illegally.” . incorrect.”
Starting Thursday, at 10:30 p.m., Canada will reintroduce the tourist visa that was scrapped in 2016, following a surge in asylum applications from Mexicans who arrived in that country as tourists.
At the same time, Clark stressed that “Mexican citizens are still welcome in the country.”
READ: Canada will require visa from Mexican tourists starting Thursday night; Here are all the requirements
“The two countries are committed to confronting common challenges, and we have the same vision on the need for safe, orderly and legal migration and we are cooperating to achieve this goal,” the diplomat said in a video clip posted on social media.
In light of this, he said, “Canada is seeking to address the context that has allowed the continuing increase in the number of Mexicans who have arrived in our country incorrectly, been misled, been offered work without a work permit or have sought asylum without a work permit.” Required foundations.
“This situation has contributed to creating pressure on the Canadian immigration system, its essential services and the housing sector,” he added, which is why they announced new measures to protect our systems, while maintaining the possibility of visa-free travel for the majority. From Mexican travelers.”
“We are determined to protect the most vulnerable and ensure that Mexicans and international citizens seeking asylum in Canada do so for the right reasons and truly need our protection,” Clark noted.
In addition, he said Canada will continue to “encourage Mexicans who want to have the opportunity to visit, work, study or invest in Canada to do so in an organized and safe way through the various programs in place and to take information from official sources.” “.
Amlou's “little brotherly reproach.”
President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Thursday issued a “small rebuke” to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for reimposing visa requirements for tourists from Mexico in the face of a spike in asylum applications.
He added: “If there is anything (I direct), I would address a small, fraternal and respectful rebuke to the Prime Minister because we helped them, and he knows that, so Canada's participation in the free trade agreement (with the United States) was accepted because President (Donald) Trump did not want that.” “, announced the President in his daily press conference.
READ: AMLO gives 'mild rebuke' to Trudeau for reimposing visas on Mexicans
Lopez Obrador warned on Wednesday that “if there is no respectful treatment,” he would not attend the North American Leaders Summit, scheduled for April in Quebec, the Canadian province that has demanded Trudeau reinstate the visa for Mexico.
Lopez Obrador expressed his “respect” for the decision, although he insisted that he would look for “alternatives” to the visa.
READ: AMLO won't go to North American summit in Canada 'if there's no respectful treatment'
Last year, according to Canadian Immigration Office figures, more than 25,000 Mexicans sought asylum in Canada: there were 25,236 applications that year, of which 2,894 were actually accepted and another 2,424 were rejected.
Canada abolished the visa requirement in December 2016. In reciprocity, Mexico adopted a similar measure.
With information from EFE
