Canada Uses An Olympic Stadium to House Asylum Seekers From the U.S.

Bryan Michalek | August 3, 2017
DONATE
Font Size

Due to an unprecedented number of asylum seekers leaving the United States for Canada, the country has had to open its own Montreal Olympic Stadium to house the large influx of migrants. 

Since January, more than 4,300 persons have left the U.S. for Canada. The rise in migrations to our motherly neighbor comes amid a growing fear of deportation among illegal aliens in the U.S., particularly those who were not able to obtain legalization in the U.S. and are hoping for a second chance in Canada.

According to a BBC report, Canadians are becoming increasingly concerned that the number of incoming migrants won't level off anytime soon. Francine Dupuis, who works with Praida, a program for the reception and integration of asylum seeking migrants, voiced his worries about the continuation of Canada's acceptance of these people.

"Usually it comes and goes and it stabilizes quite fast," Dupuis said. "In this case, what we are fearing is it might not stabilize."

Some studies estimate Haitians make up around 90 percent of the influx, as the United States debates whether to end the Temporary Protected Status policy for Haitian residents that's been in place since the country's devastating earthquake in 2010. Up to 60,000 Haitians could be affected by the policy change, and many would rather head north than wait to be deported.

The flood of people has filled Canada's YMCA centers and shelters, leaving many of these organizations with the task of finding new places to house them. Stadiums, including Montreal's Olympic Stadium, are now being used as temporary housing.

Despite many Canadian politicians publicly welcoming the incoming migrants, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been under fierce pressure to do more to secure the border and address the wave of asylum seekers in the country, according to the BBC report.

The unmanageable amount of people entering the country could be stirring an opposition from the people of Canada, many of whom view their politicians' ideas on open borders as a powder keg ready to blow.

Thank you for supporting MRCTV! As a tax-deductible, charitable organization, we rely on the support of our readers to keep us running! Keep MRCTV going with your gift here!

donate