Canada reaches agreement with U.S. to support refugees’ travel to safety

Date Announced:

August 31, 2021

Overview:

The Government of Canada continues to exhaust every option to get as many Afghans to safety as possible, in partnership with our allies around the world. In the first phase of our operation, Canada evacuated roughly 3,700 people from Afghanistan—the majority of whom are refugees who supported Canada’s mission, and will soon begin new lives in this country.

As we begin the second phase of our operation, Canada’s solidarity with the people of Afghanistan remains strong. This phase will center on welcoming Afghan refugees who have been forced to flee Afghanistan to another country.

As part of this work, the Government of Canada has reached agreement with the United States to closely cooperate on the safe passage and departure from Afghanistan of our nationals, Afghan nationals who have served both countries, as well as their families. As part of this agreement, Canada will welcome up to 5,000 refugees whose evacuations were facilitated by the United States. These refugees will be accepted as part of Canada’s recently announced program for some 20,000 refugees, which include persecuted Afghan minorities, women human rights advocates, LGBTI individuals, and journalists. This collaboration will also help to reduce current pressures in the global resettlement system, facilitating wider international efforts to support Afghan refugees and accelerating efforts to welcome more refugees to safety in Canada.

Departments and Agencies:

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

Type of Administrative Action:

  • Programmatic Changes

    • Immigration Category:

    Refugees

    Keywords:

    Afghanistan | persecuted Afghan minorities | women human rights advocates | LGBTI | journalists

    Source Document(s):

    https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2021/08/canada-reaches-agreement-with-us-to-support-refugees-travel-to-safety.html

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