Canada has experienced a significant decrease in asylum claims this year, with a nearly 40% drop compared to 2024. Data from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reveal that 57,440 claims were processed in the first half of 2025, a notable decrease from the over 91,000 claims processed during the same period last year.

This decline coincides with a substantial reduction in irregular migration at the U.S.-Canada border. U.S. authorities reported a 90% year-over-year decrease in apprehensions this summer, alleviating some of the pressure on Canada. Factors contributing to this decline include the closure of Roxham Road in 2023 and the expansion of the Safe Third Country Agreement.

Despite the decrease in asylum claims, Canada’s asylum system continues to grapple with significant challenges, such as a backlog of nearly 300,000 cases, resource constraints at the border, and inadequate screening protocols. In response to these challenges, the federal government has introduced Bill C-2 aimed at enhancing border surveillance and expediting deportations. However, critics have raised concerns about potential human rights implications associated with these measures.