Canada: New Border Security Bill Set to Introduce Stricter Immigration Controls and Asylum Reforms
June 4, 2025
The Canadian government has introduced the Strong Borders Act, a sweeping bill aimed at enhancing border security and modernizing immigration controls, which is expected to pass soon. While primarily focused on fighting organized crime and improving public safety, the legislation introduces significant changes to the immigration system. Key proposed reforms include broader sharing of immigration data between Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and other federal, provincial, and territorial bodies. This includes the ability to use information from one immigration stream, such as permanent residence, to process others, like citizenship. The Act would also grant new powers to IRCC to respond to national emergencies or public interest concerns. This includes the authority to suspend or cancel groups of immigration documents, halt new application intake, and freeze the processing of applications already underway. The bill also aims to modernize and expedite the asylum system while introducing new limits on who can make a claim, particularly in cases of delayed or irregular entry. More details can be found on the government’s website. We will monitor the legislative process and report on relevant developments and implementation details as they emerge.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
Explore more at Fragomen
Media mentions
Partner Daniel Pierce notes that limited social media activity or private accounts could lead to greater scrutiny for international students applying for US visas.
Fragomen news
Fragomen announces the opening of a new office in Cork, expanding its presence in Ireland to better support clients across the country's southern and western regions.
Awards
Fragomen is ranked both nationally and locally in "Best Law Firms in Australia" by The Best Lawyers.
Awards
Global Mobility Lawyer recognises Senior Immigration Manager Wout van Doren and Manager Tanya Loughran as Tomorrow's Leaders.
Media mentions
Partner Shayan Sultan discusses how Disneyland Abu Dhabi could impact hiring, Emiratisation and immigration planning in the UAE.
Media mentions
Partner Charlotte Wills and Director Kelly Hardman co-hosted the Space Law Legal Symposium with DLA Piper, highlighting immigration’s role in space sector growth.
Media mentions
Partner Daniel Pierce highlighted the challenges US universities face under new visa restrictions.
Blog post
Senior Immigration Programme Consultant Salem Barakat shares how hiring graduates on immigration permissions is a strategic business move that unlocks talent and drives innovation.
Blog post
Director Wim Cocquyt and Senior Immigration Consultant Marina Ocariz discuss key takeaways from the 2025 ECJ decision on A1 certificate fraud.
Media mentions
Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Ali Khan discusses the UAE’s AI talent shortage and how immigration policies are helping attract talent to the region.
Blog post
Senior Immigration Manager Géraldine Renaudière discusses France's tightening of the naturalization-by-decree process by enforcing stricter language, legal and financial requirements.
Media mentions
Partner Ángel Bello Cortés highlights Ireland’s respected work permit system and suggests a sector-specific permit to attract more non-EEA construction workers.
Media mentions
Partner Daniel Pierce notes that limited social media activity or private accounts could lead to greater scrutiny for international students applying for US visas.
Fragomen news
Fragomen announces the opening of a new office in Cork, expanding its presence in Ireland to better support clients across the country's southern and western regions.
Awards
Fragomen is ranked both nationally and locally in "Best Law Firms in Australia" by The Best Lawyers.
Awards
Global Mobility Lawyer recognises Senior Immigration Manager Wout van Doren and Manager Tanya Loughran as Tomorrow's Leaders.
Media mentions
Partner Shayan Sultan discusses how Disneyland Abu Dhabi could impact hiring, Emiratisation and immigration planning in the UAE.
Media mentions
Partner Charlotte Wills and Director Kelly Hardman co-hosted the Space Law Legal Symposium with DLA Piper, highlighting immigration’s role in space sector growth.
Media mentions
Partner Daniel Pierce highlighted the challenges US universities face under new visa restrictions.
Blog post
Senior Immigration Programme Consultant Salem Barakat shares how hiring graduates on immigration permissions is a strategic business move that unlocks talent and drives innovation.
Blog post
Director Wim Cocquyt and Senior Immigration Consultant Marina Ocariz discuss key takeaways from the 2025 ECJ decision on A1 certificate fraud.
Media mentions
Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Ali Khan discusses the UAE’s AI talent shortage and how immigration policies are helping attract talent to the region.
Blog post
Senior Immigration Manager Géraldine Renaudière discusses France's tightening of the naturalization-by-decree process by enforcing stricter language, legal and financial requirements.
Media mentions
Partner Ángel Bello Cortés highlights Ireland’s respected work permit system and suggests a sector-specific permit to attract more non-EEA construction workers.