The timely removal of inadmissible foreign nationals plays a critical role in supporting the integrity of Canada’s asylum and Immigration system and contributes to the Government of Canada’s security and public safety priorities.
The CBSA has a legal obligation under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to remove any foreign national that does to have the right to stay in Canada, as soon as possible. The CBSA is firmly committed to doing so.
The CBSA prioritizes removals based on a risk management regime:
Priority 1: Security, organized crime, crimes against humanity, serious criminality and criminality, and failed irregular arrival refugee claimants
Priority 2: Failed refugee claimants
Priority 3: All other inadmissible persons
From April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024, the CBSA removed 16,318 inadmissible foreign nationals from Canada, representing a 59% increase from the 10,232 that took place from April 1, 2022 – March 31, 2023.
From April 1, 2024 - November 18, 2024, 9,509 inadmissible foreign nationals have been removed from Canada, putting the CBSA on track to maintain previous year removal levels.
Over a five and a half year period, from April 1, 2019 – November 21, 2024, a total of 66,656 enforced removals of inadmissible foreign nationals from Canada took place.
Common challenges that prevent the CBSA from removing inadmissible foreign nationals include uncooperative foreign nationals and/or foreign governments. The CBSA participates in international groups such as the M5 Returns Network, established to identify joint strategies and share best practices to achieve timely removals of deemed inadmissible persons.
These efforts are essential to maintain the integrity of Canada’s asylum and immigration programs.