What You Need to Know About the Strong Borders Act

On June 3, 2025, the Government of Canada introduced the Bill, Strong Borders Act. The Bill boosts border security, fights organized crime, and strengthens the immigration system while protecting privacy and rights.

Here’s a breakdown of four immigration-related items under this Bill:

1. More Control over Immigration Documents

The Act gives the government new tools to manage immigration documents, like visas, work permits, and study permits, especially during emergencies or times of high risk. This means they can pause or adjust applications if needed to protect public safety, prevent fraud, or maintain program fairness.

It’s important to note: these powers don’t apply to asylum claims, and they won’t strip anyone of their immigration status immediately. Decisions will be made with care, especially when vulnerable individuals could be affected. Ultimately, this is about giving Canada the ability to act quickly while staying fair and responsible.

2. Faster, Smarter Information Sharing

The Act also improves how immigration information is shared within Canada, specifically between federal, provincial, and territorial partners. Right now, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) shares applicant information in limited cases, often requiring time-consuming case-by-case reviews. The new legislation will streamline this process, making it faster and more efficient while saving resources.

What does this mean? Provinces and territories will have quicker access to immigration data to:

• Verify identities for public services and integration programs.

• Detect fraud, like people using multiple identities to access benefits.

• Support law enforcement and border security efforts.

Rest assured, privacy is still a priority. Any information sharing will follow strict privacy laws, with formal agreements ensuring data is only used for its intended purpose. The Act also explicitly prohibits provinces and territories from sharing this information with foreign entities unless IRCC consents and it aligns with Canada’s international obligations.

3. Improving the Asylum Process

The Act includes several updates to make the asylum system more efficient and easier to navigate. These include:

• A simpler online application process

• Faster referrals to the Immigration and Refugee Board

• Clearing inactive claims to reduce delays

• Same-day removal orders for withdrawn claims

• Extra support for vulnerable claimants, like unaccompanied minors

These changes aim to keep the process fair while speeding things up for those who truly need protection.

4. Safeguarding the System from Misuse

To prevent people from using the asylum system as a backdoor into Canada, two new rules now apply to claims made on or after June 3, 2025:

• Claims filed more than one year after someone first arrived (post-June 24, 2020) won’t be referred to the IRB

• Irregular border crossers from the U.S. must make their claim within 14 days of entry

These rules don’t eliminate the right to protection. Individuals affected can still apply for a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) to ensure they won’t be sent back to danger.

The Strong Borders Act is about balance—protecting Canadians, improving efficiency, and ensuring fairness for newcomers. It’s also about restoring confidence in a system that’s essential to our economy and national identity.

Want to learn more or see how this might affect you? Visit the official IRCC website or connect with our immigration consultant. Canada’s immigration system is evolving and these changes are part of building something stronger, smarter, and more responsive for the future.

Schedule a Consultation with an authorized immigration consultant