By Canadian Press

Asylum claims being filed in Canada continue to rise slightly despite pandemic

Jul 24, 2020 | 2:01 AM

OTTAWA — The number of asylum claims being filed in Canada continues to rise slightly despite ongoing global travel restrictions.

The latest figures from the Immigration Department show 1,500 claims for refugee status were filed in Canada in June, up from 1,400 in May.

For the first time since April, refugee claims were filed at airports, and there were also multiple claims at marine ports.

Meanwhile, 32 people were stopped by the RCMP trying to cross irregularly into Canada, up from 21 in May.

How many people will attempt to cross irregularly into Canada from the U.S. may change in the coming months and not just because of the pandemic.

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On Wednesday, the Federal Court ruled an agreement between Canada and the U.S. that governs asylum claims at the border violates the charter, but gave the government six months to find a solution before the decision takes effect.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 24, 2020.

The Canadian Press