Montreal: Canada has promised thousands of undocumented migrants a major settlement plan with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. But in just a few months, the political wind changed, putting their dream of survival in danger.
But in 2015, he was asked to leave Canada.
“I want to kill myself. My daughter is Canadian and my life is here,” she said, struggling to control her emotions.
The government’s latest announcement, after years of negotiations with officials, has caused consternation among undocumented migrants and their advocacy groups.
According to some estimates, there are between 100,000 and one million undocumented migrants in Canada like Nina.
Immigration Minister Mark Miller continues to introduce “exciting” programs in the coming months for people living in the country “sometimes with children who have grown up here for a number of years”.
But he told AFP that “it won’t be for everyone.”
Canada is no longer exempt from the “toxic rhetoric about immigration that affects all Western countries,” he said.
However, polls show that public opinion on immigration has changed dramatically.
After years of advocating for Canada’s open immigration policy, Data Abacus found that 67 percent of respondents to a new survey believe Canada’s immigration rate is too high or too high.
Meanwhile, only 24 percent believe that the current level of immigration contributes positively to the country.
“To say that there is an anti-immigrant revolution in Canada is going too far,” said Andrew MacDougall, a political scientist at the University of Toronto.
“I think what’s happening is that it’s more a question of immigration.”
By early 2024, Canada’s population will exceed 41 million as strong immigration is encouraged to ease labor shortages.
But attendance has fallen as the housing crisis strains health and other social services.
In response, the government toughened its stance and announced that it would reduce the number of temporary foreign workers and international students for the first time in Canadian history.
Unions fear undocumented migrants are now at risk of becoming “forgotten historical figures”.
“We’re not doing anything to change the system or help these people get out of the violence, abuse and exploitation they experience every day,” said Karol Ocherochewski of the Center for Immigrant Workers.
Asylum is a difficult issue, said Mariana, a Mexican immigrant, who just “doesn’t want to benefit society and hide anymore.”
She works under the table as a domestic helper for the elderly, earning just $US1.50 ($1.10) an hour – nowhere near the legal minimum wage.
“Canada lacks workers, so why don’t we worry about managing what’s already here? It’s not clear to me,” said Annette, who arrived from Cameroon five years ago.
He said he rarely left his home in Quebec, fearing arrest and deportation, and received support from non-profit organizations.
Canada’s latest deregulation agenda goes back to the current prime minister’s father, Pierre Trudeau. In August 1973, a bill was passed with little opposition to regularize about 39,000 people.
