World Immigration News

Some migrants facing deportation go to these holding centres. CBC News went inside one

Release Date: 2024-11-30
Media: CBC
Summary: Toronto's Immigration Holding Centre is a facility for migrants detained by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) while awaiting deportation or immigration case decisions. Unlike traditional jails, the centre includes dorm-like rooms, gyms, libraries, and recreational areas, although detainees are not allowed to leave.

Previously, migrants were often held in provincial jails alongside criminal offenders, leading to criticism from international human rights groups. Since 2022, all ten Canadian provinces have stopped incarcerating migrants in jails, transferring detention responsibilities to CBSA facilities. However, the Toronto centre includes stricter "wet cells" for high-risk detainees, resembling prison conditions.

Most migrants are detained due to flight risks, public safety concerns, or unidentified identities. Yet, in 2023, only 60 were detained solely for public safety reasons, with the majority classified as flight risks. While CBSA emphasizes alternatives to detention (ATD), some detainees are housed in facilities far from their families and legal support, drawing criticism for inadequate fairness and access to resources.

The Trudeau government plans to use federal prisons for high-risk detainees, sparking further concerns about isolation and the impact on detainees’ support networks. Advocates argue for a more humane approach and question the necessity of detaining migrants under these conditions.
Tags: Canada

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