Canada faces a major contradiction in its immigration policies. Thousands of international students, once celebrated as “ideal immigrants,” are now turning to the asylum system. As a migration policy researcher and former international student, I have watched this predicament unfold with growing concern.
Federal immigration data reveal a surge in asylum claims by international students. The claims rose from 1,810 in 2018 to nearly 12,000 in 2023, with another 13,660 filed in the first nine months of 2024.
There are multiple reasons why international students in Canada may end up seeking asylum. Some experts suggest heightened costs of living have forced some students to drop out of school, while others point to the influence of immigration consultants or others advising them to apply for asylum.
