CBSA Halts Deportations to Israel, Lebanon Over Conflict Risks

The Canada Border Services Agency announced on March 7, 2026, that it is temporarily halting the deportation of inadmissible individuals to Israel and Lebanon amid escalating violence in the Middle East.

The decision implements an Administrative Deferral of Removals, a measure under federal immigration rules that pauses removals to countries where conditions pose a generalized risk to civilians, such as ongoing violence or environmental disasters. In this case, officials cited the volatile and unpredictable conflict affecting both nations, which has led to widespread risks including fatalities and injuries among the civilian population. The agency stated that the deferral will remain in effect until the situation stabilizes and no longer presents a broad threat to those being returned.

This pause does not extend to all cases. Individuals deemed inadmissible to Canada on grounds of criminality, serious non-citizen criminality, organized crime, security concerns, or violations of human or international rights remain subject to removal, regardless of the destination country's conditions. The CBSA emphasized that these exceptions prioritize public safety and national security.