Canada's Asylum Policy: A Threat to U.S. Security? Expert Panel to Assess Intelligence Findings and Immigration Policy

8/16/2002

From: John Keeley of the Center for Immigration Studies, 202-466-8185 or jmk@cis.org

News Advisory:

Canada's asylum laws would not normally be of concern to the United States, but this changed after September 11. Our northern neighbor's lax procedures governing asylum have helped more than 50 terrorist organizations establish a presence there, providing a base for infiltration into the United States. In the words of the head of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, "Canada's counter-terrorism effort will never succeed if we allow our borders to become but mere sieves."

The Center for Immigration Studies has published a report on Canada's asylum policy and an assessment of the security issues it poses for the United States. "Canada's Asylum System: A Threat to American Security," by former Canadian Ambassador James Bissett, is available on line at http://www.cis.org/articles/2002/back402.html

The Center will host a panel discussion on this report in the Holeman Lounge of the National Press Club (14th and F streets, 13th floor) on Thursday, Aug. 22, at 9:30 a.m. The speakers will be:

-- James Bissett, former Canadian Ambassador and from 1985 to 1990 Executive Director of Canada's Immigration Service. -- William Shepot, Immigration Counselor, Canadian Embassy -- Peter Morton, Washington Bureau Chief, The National Post

Attendance is free and open to all, but space is limited. RSVP to John Keeley at 202-466-8185 or jmk@cis.org

------ The Center for Immigration Studies is a non-profit, non-partisan research organization. It is not affilated with any other organization.