Canada bill targeting refugees feared to signal new era of US-style border policy

Cars wait to cross into Canada at the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Photograph: Geoff Robins/AFP/Getty Images

Canada’s Liberal government is pushing through sweeping new legislation targeting refugees that observers fear will usher in a new era of US-style border policies, fueling xenophobia and the scapegoating of immigrants.

Bill C-12, or Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, includes many changes around border security along with new ineligibility rules for refugee claimants.