Canada's New Rules Disqualify 30,000 Refugee Claims

OTTAWA - New immigration rules introduced by the Canadian government will disqualify thousands of refugee claims, prompting defenses from officials who say the measures are necessary to restore order to the country's immigration system.

The changes, enacted under a border law passed by Parliament in March 2026, require refugee claimants to file their applications within one year of their initial arrival in Canada. The policy applies retroactively to June 24, 2020, and covers all claims submitted on or after June 3, 2025. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada estimates that approximately 30,000 existing claimants have received notices informing them that their applications may now be ineligible due to the time limit.

Among those affected are individuals with compelling personal stories, including a Palestinian man who donated a kidney to his Canadian sister in 2023 and an Iranian political activist whose identity was exposed to authorities in Iran in July 2025. Recipients of the notices have 21 days to submit additional evidence demonstrating why their claims should proceed despite the deadline.

Laura Blondeau, communications director for Immigration Minister Lena Diab,...