Rally calls for end to Safe Third Country agreement after tragic death of 8 migrants

The faces of some of the migrants that have died trying to cross into the United States were plastered on the Federal Public Safety Minister’s office during an emergency rally Wednesday.

It comes after eight migrants were killed trying to cross from Canada into the United States last week.

Demonstrators called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to grant full and permanent status to all migrants and undocumented persons in Canada.

“As he promised, so that the deaths will stop,” said Syed Hussan, the Executive Director of the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change.

The eight migrants killed last Thursday when their boat capsized in Quebec on the way to the U.S. have been identified as two families of four: The Chaudari family of India and the Iordache family of Romania.

“They were facing deportation, and two infants, under the age of three, have drowned to death because of the decisions made by Prime Minister Trudeau,” said Hussan.

The Iordache family had been living in Toronto for four years. Their two young children were born in Canada, both were under the age of 3.

“They had come here to try and make a better life to start a family here,” said Jen Danch, a member of the Canadian-Romani alliance.

While the children were Canadian citizens, the parents, Florin and Cristina, were set to be deported.

Public federal court documents show Florin had applied for a pre-removal risk assessment, a last chance for an immigration officer to decide if someone has a continuing risk of persecution in their country, but he had been denied.

“So they made the decision to try and get to the U.S. because it would be better to live undocumented in the United States than to return to Romania,” said Danch.

“People will do whatever they can to protect their families, including climbing into a boat that sinks,” added Hussan.

A spokesperson for the Minister of Public Safety, Marco Mendicino, said the news from Akwesasne is “heartbreaking.”

“At this incredibly difficult time, our thoughts are with the loved ones of those lost,” read their statement. “The Akwesasne Mohawk Police, assisted by the Canadian Coast Guard and Sûreté du Québec, is conducting an investigation. As the investigation is ongoing, it’s important not to make assumptions on a difficult and complex situation until all the facts are known.”

The Migrant Workers Alliance for Change delivered a petition with 7,000 signatures to the Public Safety Minister’s office, calling for an end to the Safe Third Country Agreement, which was expanded just days before the migrants were found.

The Safe Third Country Agreement closed unofficial ports of entry along the entire length of the Canada-U.S. border in an effort to deter irregular border crossings, but advocates say it will only force asylum seekers to choose more dangerous routes.

“Just after making it stronger, people died. You cannot get any clearer on the evidence of your decision to do that and what it has led to,” explained Shalini Konanur, the Executive Director of the South Asian Legal Clinic.

The federal government has promised to open 15,000 spots for migrants to enter the country legally, but in 2022 alone, nearly 40,000 migrants entered the country at unofficial border points, making an asylum claim.

“Our government will continue to promote safe, legal and regular pathways that allow the world’s most vulnerable to build new lives in Canada,” said the Ministry of Public Safety’s spokesperson.

“It’s important to remember that these tragic stories do not start at the Canada-US border. Irregular migration presents immense dangers, from the moment someone leaves their home country and all throughout their journey. These risks are compounded by human smugglers, who take advantage of vulnerable people,” their statement continued.