Mexico visa-free travel was 'bilateral irritant' for Canada-US relations, internal documents show

Canada's Liberal government’s decision to lift the visa requirement for Mexican nationals became a “bilateral irritant” with the Biden administration, as the number of migrants on both sides of the border spiked, newly released documents show.

Immigration Minister Marc Miller reinstated visas for Mexican citizens on Feb. 29, 2024 to slow what he called “exponential growth” in asylum claims straining Canada’s refugee system and provinces’ resources, while also drawing the ire of U.S. officials.

Internal government briefing notes shed new light on Washington’s “concerns regarding abuse” of the visa exemption, and the pressure Ottawa was under to reimpose the requirement.

“Mexican nationals entering Canada… subsequently attempting to enter the U.S. illegally remains a bilateral irritant,” reads the document obtained by Global News through access to information laws.

Global's Touria Izri has the details.

#GlobalNews

[gerardopc]

We need to impose visa to Canadian expats living here in Mexico 👍🏼

[HappyD]

Really? Because I can tell you that I spent the last few months in Mexico and it's U.S nationals over staying in Mexico.

[gabrielinfantecarrillo]

Mexico should do the same for Americans and Canadians due to an increase of so call digital nomads that come to Mexico live in a AirB&B for months and don’t pay taxes.

[RobertoAlvidrez-xkjo]

Mexico have to do the same to millions immigrants gringos and Canadian crossing to mexico illegal

[Wisecookies]

Don’t let Americans or Canadians into Mexico without temporary visa

[alonsorodal]

I really do wish Mexico would start requesting visas for US citizens and canadians

[koiue.g]

So what? Canada looks like India now 😂

[jimedge]

Big deal, honest Mexican visitors have to have visas now, the ones that sneak in don't 🙄

[commandergree]

Mexico should also impose visas on Canadians and Americans visiting Mexico, lots of Americans invading Mexico City and other cities

[jaysin]

Can we stop all asylum applications for the next 10 years? Then reconsider.

[UncleWally]

My Mexican daughter-in-law, long married to my Canadian born son, has gone through hell reestablishing her travel papers. She has zero problems traveling to USA or anywhere else on the planet, but traveling to Canada has been a nightmare. I don’t blame this on racism or intolerance - the challenge is firmly located in the Canadian government’s bureaucratic ineptitude.

[YurHol]

Even Mexicans don't want to stay in Canada and run away from here at the first opportunity because it sucks. Weather sucks, Canadian dollar sucks, Canadian housing market sucks, salaries suck.

[universal]

Unemployment rates 2024: Canada 6.4%, U.S. 4.1%, Mexico 2.61%

[victorortiz]

MEhh, .... Canada its Turning into INDIA number 2, anyways. Few more years if it continues it willl be like visiting NEW DELHI

[dsbarclayeng]

IF there is a sharp increase in asylum seekers, then it makes sense to ask for a visa.

[korky]

We Canadians need asylum from all of these imports!

[patientzero]

It like these for decades. Canada is just a temporary stop from all over the world before they go to America. Canada needs to reform a lot of its immigration rules from scrutinizing all visa's loopholes, because this is one part of the weak points of our country that can easily be exploited.

[juanmiguelreyesguerr]

Spending time and money on this silly artificial problem. Just make it legal for any North American citizen to travel and work in any North American country. Problem solved!

[therealbenjaminfranklin]

JT is a mistake Canadians made in 2015 that will sting for a long time if not for ever, the absolute worst PM to ever exist

[staniclol]

Mexico should require visas for US and Canadian nationals as well