Canada has enacted controversial legislation restricting refugee protection, drawing sharp criticism from over two dozen human rights organizations and United Nations watchdogs who warn the law endangers thousands seeking safety.

Bill C-12, officially titled Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, received royal assent on March 27, 2026. Law represents modified version of Bill C-2, first legislation introduced by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government following his election in May 2025.

More than 28 domestic and international refugee and migrant rights groups released joint statement Friday condemning the bill as ‘significant attack on refugee and migrant rights’ in Canada. Signatories include Amnesty International Canada, Canadian Civil Liberties Association, and Canadian Council for Refugees.

“Bill C-12 sets the current and future governments on a dangerous path by limiting the ability to seek refugee protection in Canada, enabling the mass cancellation of immigration documents and applications, and facilitating the sharing of personal information within and outside the country”, organizations said. “Bill C-12 will put thousands of individuals at risk of persecution, violence and precarity”.

Most controversial provision bars asylum seekers from full hearing at Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada if applications are filed more than one year after first entering Canada. Rule applies even if person left and re-entered country. Those affected must instead undergo pre-removal risk assessment, which rights groups describe as ‘wholly inadequate’ with fewer protections.

Claims made by individuals crossing between official ports of entry along Canada-US land border must be filed within 14 days or face similar restrictions. Pre-removal risk assessment was originally designed as final step before deportation for those already assessed by IRB, and does not guarantee oral testimony.

Legislation also grants government authority to cancel immigration documents, including permanent or temporary resident visas, work permits and study permits, if deemed in ‘public interest’. Decisions require Governor in Council approval and must be reported to Parliament.

Canadian government justified legislation as necessary to reduce pressure on strained immigration system and strengthen border security. Immigration Minister Lena Diab said, “With the passage of Bill C-12, we're strengthening the practical tools that keep our immigration and asylum systems fair, efficient and working as intended”.

Prime Minister Carney, like predecessor Justin Trudeau, has moved to drastically reduce temporary visas including for international students and foreign workers following increases during Covid-19 pandemic. Immigration department said new asylum eligibility requirements ‘will reduce pressure on the asylum system, protect it against sudden increases in claims, close loopholes and deter people from claiming asylum as a shortcut to regular immigration pathways’.

Bill widely viewed as response to pressure from US President Donald Trump, who accused Canada of poorly defending shared border and threatened tariffs. Legislation draws comparisons to similar restrictive measures passed in United States.

United Nations Human Rights Committee warned earlier this week that Bill C-12 ‘may weaken refugee protection’. Committee said, “Canada should ensure that all persons seeking international protection have unfettered access to the national territory and to fair and efficient procedures, with all necessary procedural safeguards”.

Canadian attitudes towards migrants and refugees have soured in recent years amid increasingly hostile rhetoric that rights groups say unfairly blames immigrants for affordable housing crisis and other socioeconomic issues.

Flavia Leiva of Welcome Collective refugee rights group told Al Jazeera at Montreal rally earlier this month that legislative changes fuel anxiety and fear. “Bill C-12 is scary, it's really scary. People are coming to see us, stressed, asking: ‘Do you think I’ll be able to stay?’” Leiva said. “People are here to work, to get out of difficult situations. We can’t forget that refugees are people who fled extremely difficult situations and who can't go home”.

Broad range of experts and individuals testified to Canadian senate urging modifications to protect migrant rights. More than 300 organisations condemned bill when first introduced to legislature earlier this year.

Law also updates asylum processing procedures, simplifying online applications, removing duplicate steps, and ensuring only complete claims are reviewed. Authorities will process claims only if applicant is physically present in Canada. System will remove inactive cases and allow faster voluntary departures.

Legislation permits government to share immigration-related information within departments and with federal, provincial and territorial partners under strict safeguards. Officials stated new measures will help Canada manage immigration system more efficiently while maintaining fairness and security.

Refugee advocates say they will continue challenging legislation despite royal assent.

Source: Al Jazeera, Economic Times, Jurist