“Bonjour Canada”: Biden announces asylum deal during visit to Ottawa

The United States and Canada have agreed on a new asylum rule given the increasing number of migrants at the common border. Canada has agreed to take in more migrants, US President Joe Biden said in a speech to Canada’s parliament in Ottawa on Friday. “At the same time, the United States and Canada will work together to stop illegal border crossings.” For Biden, it is the first trip to Canada since taking office in January 2021. During the visit, US President and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau emphasized the unwavering friendship between neighboring countries.

Given the sharp increase in illegal border crossings, the Canadian government has long been pushing for an agreement in Washington to refuse more migrants. According to the media, nearly 40,000 people came to Canada last year and the number had risen dramatically. These are mainly people from Central and South America who travel to Canada from the US. In particular, the closed Roxham Road border crossing north of New York has recently become a symbol of illegal border crossings.

According to a joint statement by the two countries, an existing agreement should now be updated. Canada has therefore pledged to take in 15,000 additional migrants within a year. Further steps should ensure “a deterrent to irregular migration at our common border”. This reportedly means that Canada can turn down immigrants at the Roxham Road intersection.

Biden did not skimp on his praise for the NATO partner during his trip to Canada. The deputies rose before the parliament at the beginning of his speech. Biden greeted his host with “Bonjour Canada” and went on to say, “Today I say to you and all the people of Canada that you can always, always count on the United States of America,” he said. There is no “steadier ally” and no “steadier friend” than Canada.

“Americans love Canadians, and that’s no exaggeration,” the Democrat said. The two states would also share a heart because of the same values ​​they share. Relations between the two neighbors had cooled considerably under then Republican President Donald Trump, and in some cases were openly hostile.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also praised the deep connection despite numerous challenges such as the climate crisis, the aftermath of the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and still high inflation: “Our two nations are united right now and are finding solutions side by side. » These are “serious times” when mutual friendship is more important than ever. “Mr. President, you are a true friend of Canada,” Trudeau told Biden.

Biden and his wife Jill arrived in Canada on Thursday evening (local time) and then met the Trudeaus for dinner. The US First Lady also visits a curling club in Ottawa with Trudeau’s wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau. There was also a gala dinner on Friday. (sda/dpa)