Minister Hussen addresses irregular migration with U.S. officials

Meeting with Kirstjen M. Nielsen, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, to discuss immigration collaboration and information-sharing

WASHINGTON, June 4, 2018 /CNW/ - As part of ongoing discussions with international counterparts, today the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, conducted a productive meeting with Kirstjen M. Nielsen, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security.

Minister Hussen sat down with Secretary Nielsen to reaffirm our commitment to working together on immigration and border security issues. Discussions covered a wide range of issues including northbound irregular migration trends, visa policy, traveler screening and biometrics, in addition to options for the possible modernization of the Safe Third Country Agreement.

During the meeting, Minister Hussen and Secretary Nielsen agreed that the integrity of our countries' immigration systems and asylum processes is of shared importance. Secretary Nielsen noted that if an individual enters the United States on a valid visa and then applies for asylum in Canada, they are likely to find their U.S. visa revoked and their ability to travel impeded. Minister Hussen also mentioned the ongoing outreach being conducted in the U.S. to raise awareness of the risks and misconceptions associated with irregular migration.

Canada and the U.S have a long history of working closely together on issues of shared importance relating to border management issues. Information sharing on increased flows of asylum seekers from Nigeria is a recent example.

Minister Hussen expressed his appreciation for collective efforts to address issues regarding visa issuance to Nigerian nationals, given the number of asylum claimants crossing into Canada with valid U.S. visas. 

Both Minister Hussen and Secretary Nielsen reaffirmed their respective commitments to work with each other to monitor and analyze the cross-border migration flows along the shared border.

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"I was pleased with the conversation I had today with Secretary Nielsen. Ongoing discussions like these are critical to maintaining an efficient, secure, and well-managed immigration system. While formal negotiations on the Safe Third Country Agreement are not underway at this time, I look forward to continued discussions on this Agreement and ?collaboration as we work together to improve border management."  

? The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

SOURCE Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada