U.S.-Canada border rules: Procedural changes planned in line with law, Ottawa says

The federal government says procedural changes planned by the United States to tighten rules for asylum seekers coming from Canada are in line with the Safe Third Country Agreement.

The federal government says procedural changes planned by the United States to tighten rules for asylum seekers coming from Canada are in line with the Safe Third Country Agreement.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada spokesperson Matthew Krupovich said the changes "do not impact the terms of the (agreement) nor the criteria for an exemption or exception under the agreement."

"We are in regular contact with the U.S. on a range of issues and continue to work with them on this and other areas of border co-operation," Krupovich said in an emailed statement.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed Tuesday that it reviewed the Safe Third Country Agreement with Canada and concluded that it could streamline the process without affecting access to fair procedures for determining a claim to asylum.

Under that agreement, which came into effect in 2004, refugee claimants must seek asylum in the first of the two countries they arrive in.

The procedural change means people entering the U.S. from Canada and making an asylum claim there will now have four hours to consult with lawyers instead of 24 hours.

The change also means border officers will only consider the documentary evidence that asylum claimants have with them when they arrive. Previously people could ask for time to gather evidence.