Ottawa Reaches A Deal With U.S To Close Roxham Border In Quebec

Canada and the United States have reached an agreement to close the Roxham Road border crossing, which connects Quebec and New York. The decision comes after nearly 40,000 asylum seekers crossed into Canada via this route in 2022, and the increase in border crossings had been steady since former US President Trump took office in 2018. Quebec Premier Legault has been calling for the closure of this border crossing for years and had even threatened to ship migrants to Ottawa, a move similar to that done by the Texas and Florida governments in the US, which drew widespread backlash.

The Trudeau administration has been working with its US counterparts for months to find a viable solution to the problem. The arrival of US President Biden has paved the way for the announcement of the closure of the border, which is seen as a significant win for the Liberal government. However, the details of when the border will be closed and how this will be done are yet to be announced.

The decision to close the Roxham Road border crossing has been welcomed by many Canadians, who have expressed concerns about the number of asylum seekers crossing into the country. While Canada has a long-standing tradition of welcoming refugees, the sheer number of people arriving at the border has put a strain on Quebec’s resources and infrastructure.

The closure of the border crossing is likely to significantly impact the asylum seekers who are currently using this route to enter Canada. It remains to be seen what alternative routes will be available to them and what measures will be put in place to prevent further illegal border crossings.

The decision to close the border comes at a time when immigration policy is a contentious issue in both the US and Canada. In the US, the Biden administration has been working to reverse many of the hardline immigration policies put in place by the Trump administration. In Canada, the Liberal government has been criticized by some for its handling of the asylum seeker issue.

The closure of the Roxham Road border crossing is likely to be seen as a move to address these concerns and may be viewed as a positive step by both countries’ governments. However, there are likely to be critics on both sides of the border who will argue that the closure of the border crossing does not go far enough or that it is a violation of the rights of asylum seekers.

Overall, the decision to close the Roxham Road border crossing is a significant development in the ongoing debate around immigration policy in North America. While the details of the closure are yet to be announced, it is clear that this decision will have far-reaching consequences for those seeking asylum in Canada and for the relationship between the US and Canada.