Canada announces that it is reimposing visa requirements for Mexican nationals

• Canada reimposes visa requirements for Mexicans.
• Increased asylum applications are the cause.
• Will Mexico respond?

The Canadian government announced on Thursday, February 29, the reintroduction of some visa requirements for Mexican citizens wishing to visit Canada.

This is an effort by Canadian authorities to control the growing influx of asylum applications.

The Minister of Immigration, Marc Miller, stated that this measure is being implemented due to the exponential increase in asylum applications.

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Miller pointed out that the increase in asylum applications is largely coming from Mexican citizens, who represented 17% of the global total in the last year.

Quebec’s premier has been pressuring the federal government to take measures to stem the flow of refugees.

He argues that the situation is placing a considerable burden on available resources, according to The Associated Press.

Additionally, the United States government has urged Canada to address the situation, as some Mexicans have been crossing without legal authorization from Canada into the United States.

The United States’ influence over Canada

It is noteworthy that the relationship between Canada and the United States has also been a significant factor in this decision.

Miller emphasized that although the flow of asylum applicants does not compare to the situation on the southern border of the United States, it has increased significantly in recent years.

This requires proper management by Canada as a partner of the United States, according to The Associated Press.

The removal of the visa requirement for Mexican visitors in 2016 was an attempt to improve bilateral relations between the two countries.

An increase in asylum applications

However, the drastic increase in asylum applications from Mexico has forced Canada to review this policy.

In 2015, only 110 applications were registered, while last year the figure increased to nearly 24,000, representing a significant burden for the Canadian asylum system.

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador lamented Canada’s decision and expressed his desire to seek alternatives instead of reinstating the visa requirement.

Although he assured that this measure would not affect relations between the two countries, he indicated that he would send a message to Trudeau expressing his dissatisfaction.

Canada reimposes visa requirements: The diplomatic implications

In addition, Mexican President AMLO suggested during his statement that Mexico’s participation in the upcoming North American Leaders Summit could be affected.

This comes in the context of electoral campaigns in both Mexico and the United States, reported The Associated Press.

The situation poses a logistical and diplomatic challenge for the Mexican government, which must balance its international commitments with domestic political demands.

On the other hand, the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an official statement in which it expressed that the government «reserves, of course, the authority to act in reciprocity.»

Possible measures Mexico could take

This statement hints at the possibility that Mexico may take reciprocal measures in response to the new immigration policy implemented by Canada.

Possible diplomatic actions by Mexico are expected.

This response could include the reintroduction of visa restrictions for Canadian citizens wishing to visit Mexico.

This would have significant implications for both tourism and bilateral relations between the two countries.