Conservatives propose barring refugee claims by convicted non-citizens

Conservatives introduced a motion to bar non-citizens convicted of serious crimes from making refugee claims and to block asylum claims from people with ongoing court cases; deportations of 14 suspects are paused pending Immigration and Refugee Board review.

Conservative MPs introduced a motion in the House of Commons seeking to bar non-citizens convicted of serious crimes from making refugee claims. The motion also asks the government to prevent asylum claims from people whose cases are still before the courts. The proposal comes amid public attention to a rise in extortion-related crimes reported by provincial and municipal officials. Federal and provincial leaders have made statements about the issue in Parliament and at the provincial level. Reported facts: - The Conservative motion was introduced in the House and is sponsored by immigration critic Michelle Rempel Garner. - Rempel Garner said more than a dozen suspects facing deportation claimed refugee status, and deportations of 14 suspects have been put on hold while the Immigration and Refugee Board reviews their asylum claims. - Justice Minister Sean Fraser described extortion as a serious crime, cited existing laws and proposed bail and sentencing changes, and municipal leaders including Surrey officials have urged federal attention to the rise in extortion. Summary: The motion seeks changes to how refugee and asylum claims are handled for non-citizens with serious criminal convictions and for applicants with ongoing court cases. Deportations of several suspects are paused pending Immigration and Refugee Board decisions, and parliamentary consideration of the motion is undetermined at this time.