Process/Processing Times for Claiming Asylum/Refugee?

[Human Errer]

Can someone explain to me in layman’s terms what the process is for people who present at a point of entry (in my case, as I live in New Hampshire, it would be a border crossing at or near the NH border) and claim asylum/refugee status? Are asylum/RS seekers typically detained while their application is being processed, and if so, how long does the process take?

What if the person seeking asylum/RS is 99% sure they were actually born a Canadian citizen, but just need to obtain proof of citizenship? Are there consequences that would be detrimental to someone in this situation to a degree that would make this not worth doing?

Thanks in advance.

 

[scylla]

Can someone explain to me in layman’s terms what the process is for people who present at a point of entry (in my case, as I live in New Hampshire, it would be a border crossing at or near the NH border) and claim asylum/refugee status? Are asylum/RS seekers typically detained while their application is being processed, and if so, how long does the process take?

What if the person seeking asylum/RS is 99% sure they were actually born a Canadian citizen, but just need to obtain proof of citizenship? Are there consequences that would be detrimental to someone in this situation to a degree that would make this not worth doing?

Thanks in advance.

Right now refugee are not being allowed to enter Canada from the US due to covid-19. You will be returned to the US if you try. The refugee process is long (years) and requires you to provide hard evidence of persecution. If you believe you are a Canadian citizen then the far better option is to look into record searches in Canada to try to locate your birth records. That's what i would focus on.

 

[scylla]

Can someone explain to me in layman’s terms what the process is for people who present at a point of entry (in my case, as I live in New Hampshire, it would be a border crossing at or near the NH border) and claim asylum/refugee status? Are asylum/RS seekers typically detained while their application is being processed, and if so, how long does the process take?

What if the person seeking asylum/RS is 99% sure they were actually born a Canadian citizen, but just need to obtain proof of citizenship? Are there consequences that would be detrimental to someone in this situation to a degree that would make this not worth doing?

Thanks in advance.

Just to be a bit clearer about what I said above, this is a special policy both Canada and the US have put in place due to covid-19 to limit border traffic due to the pandemic. Anyone trying to cross as a refugee / asylum seeker from the US to Canada is returned to the US. Anyone going the opposite way is returned to Canada. So basically not possible right now.

 

[Human Errer]

Right now refugee are not being allowed to enter Canada from the US due to covid-19. You will be returned to the US if you try. The refugee process is long (years) and requires you to provide hard evidence of persecution. If you believe you are a Canadian citizen then the far better option is to look into record searches in Canada to try to locate your birth records. That's what i would focus on.

Yes, I understand what the IRPA says. Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, the process to obtain your citizenship certificate also takes years, from what I understand, unless they approve you for “urgent processing,” which I understand also takes a long time. I may not have that much time. I feel like I have been lucky to escape getting infected with all the people around me who not only refuse to wear masks or practice social distancing, but sometimes passive-aggressively invade others’ space specifically to “prove” to them that “the virus is a hoax.” I have a legitimate fear that I will not survive if I get the virus, and I’d much rather live in a country with a government that takes the virus seriously.

It’s my understanding that it is a violation of international law for a country to just eject someone who presents themselves at a POE and requests asylum/refugee status out of hand. Are people not entitled to judicial review of their claim in Canada? (I know - the US has been turning people away at the Southern border for a while under Trump, but his administration doesn’t care about laws they don’t like, and who’s going to stop them, right? )

 

[Human Errer]

Just to be a bit clearer about what I said above, this is a special policy both Canada and the US have put in place due to covid-19 to limit border traffic due to the pandemic. Anyone trying to cross as a refugee / asylum seeker from the US to Canada is returned to the US. Anyone going the opposite way is returned to Canada. So basically not possible right now.

Thank you. I’ll look into that.

 

[scylla]

Thank you. I’ll look into that.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19/refugees.html

 

[Human Errer]

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19/refugees.html

I was just reading an article published yesterday about the ban. It says that Canadian citizens are allowed to enter, and there’s a possibility of getting a “compassionate grounds” exception. I’m a Canadian citizen - I just don’t have proof of that at the moment. I’m just trying to find a way to get back to Canada. I have no problem quarantining for 14 days, and I can guarantee that I wouldn’t be healthy enough to travel if I were positive. I have a hard enough time breathing as it is.

 

[scylla]

Yes, I understand what the IRPA says. Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, the process to obtain your citizenship certificate also takes years, from what I understand, unless they approve you for “urgent processing,” which I understand also takes a long time. I may not have that much time. I feel like I have been lucky to escape getting infected with all the people around me who not only refuse to wear masks or practice social distancing, but sometimes passive-aggressively invade others’ space specifically to “prove” to them that “the virus is a hoax.” I have a legitimate fear that I will not survive if I get the virus, and I’d much rather live in a country with a government that takes the virus seriously.

It’s my understanding that it is a violation of international law for a country to just eject someone who presents themselves at a POE and requests asylum/refugee status out of hand. Are people not entitled to judicial review of their claim in Canada? (I know - the US has been turning people away at the Southern border for a while under Trump, but his administration doesn’t care about laws they don’t like, and who’s going to stop them, right? )

Again, there's a temporary policy in place limiting the ability to claim asylum at the border as a measure to prevent the spread of covid-19. I provided you with the link above. None of us here make the rules. So no point arguing with us.

 

[scylla]

I was just reading an article published yesterday about the ban. It says that Canadian citizens are allowed to enter, and there’s a possibility of getting a “compassionate grounds” exception. I’m a Canadian citizen - I just don’t have proof of that at the moment. I’m just trying to find a way to get back to Canada. I have no problem quarantining for 14 days, and I can guarantee that I wouldn’t be healthy enough to travel if I were positive. I have a hard enough time breathing as it is.

Yes, Canadian citizens are certainly allied to enter. However you need to show you are Canadian. Are you claiming citizenship through decent? If so then I guess you could try crossing with your parents Canadian birth certificate or passport and you birth certificate. I don't know if that will work.

 

[Human Errer]

Again, there's a temporary policy in place limiting the ability to claim asylum at the border as a measure to prevent the spread of covid-19. I provided you with the link above. None of us here make the rules. So no point arguing with us.

Who’s arguing? I’m simply trying to clarify. If you don’t want to engage in a civil conversation with me on this subject, then don’t respond to me.

 

[scylla]

Who’s arguing? I’m simply trying to clarify. If you don’t want to engage in a civil conversation with me on this subject, then don’t respond to me.

Ok

 

[Human Errer]

Yes, Canadian citizens are certainly allied to enter. However you need to show you are Canadian. Are you claiming citizenship through decent? If so then I guess you could try crossing with your parents Canadian birth certificate or passport and you birth certificate. I don't know if that will work.

I’m claiming citizen as a child born to a naturalized citizen. My mother has lost her proof of citizenship, as she was only a child when she was naturalized in Nova Scotia in 1974. I was born in 1981, when she was 20 years old. The process requires her to get her proof of citizenship before I can apply for mine, so we’re talking years if they don’t approve us both for urgent processing, and she has no reason to get approved for urgent processing other than to help me get my proof of citizenship faster.

How would *you* feel if you lost your proof of citizenship while visiting a foreign country and were told that you would have to wait years before you were allowed to return to Canada (or whatever country you’re a citizen of)? It doesn’t make any sense, does it?

 

[Kaisa_18]

The official processing time to get proof of citizenship is 5 months only. I would suggest that you and your mother apply for this certificate. You can hire an immigration lawyer if you believe that you have a complicated situation. Good luck

 

[Human Errer]

The official processing time to get proof of citizenship is 5 months only. I would suggest that you and your mother apply for this certificate. You can hire an immigration lawyer if you believe that you have a complicated situation. Good luck

Thank you. I’ve already completed my application and am just waiting for my mother to complete hers, then we’ll send them in together and request urgent processing. It’s my understanding that the “official” wait time is grossly misrepresented on the official website, especially with the current state of things.

I’ve looked up what a Canadian citizen would have to do if they lost their citizenship documentation, and the border service people would just verify that the applicant had already been issued some form of citizenship documentation in the past. That may be a way for my mother to have her citizenship status verified so that we don’t have to ask them to go through the whole process for both of us, no?

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/dual-canadian-citizens-visit-canada.html#findOut

[EDIT]: Added link.

 

[canuck78]

Thank you. I’ve already completed my application and am just waiting for my mother to complete hers, then we’ll send them in together and request urgent processing. It’s my understanding that the “official” wait time is grossly misrepresented on the official website, especially with the current state of things.

I’ve looked up what a Canadian citizen would have to do if they lost their citizenship documentation, and the border service people would just verify that the applicant had already been issued some form of citizenship documentation in the past. That may be a way for my mother to have her citizenship status verified so that we don’t have to ask them to go through the whole process for both of us, no?

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/dual-canadian-citizens-visit-canada.html#findOut

[EDIT]: Added link.

Even if you are able to enter Canada and file for asylum during your intake it will become clear that you aren't an actual refugee. We also have covid in Canada although the Maritimes, until recently, have been able to limit their numbers. It is unclear if you have health issues which makes you more concerned about covid. If so, this isn't a time where it is easy to access the medical system, get appointments especially with specialists. In good times it could take months but with the extra delays due to covid anything medical is severely delayed. Are you not able to quarantine yourself in the US? Are you able to support yourself in Canada?