Canada's immigration minister, Marc Miller, has taken a hardline stance on immigration and stated that “not everyone is welcome” in Canada. This comes, as the country braces for a potential influx of migrants fleeing the US to escape the mass deportations US President-elect Donald Trump has pledged.

<h2>Canada changing tunes?</h2>

Miller’s statement, as per the Guardian, is a notable departure from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s 2017 promise that “Canadians will welcome” asylum seekers.

As per the report, experts have chalked up this shift in tone on immigration and refugee policy to the dwindling public support for immigration.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-mike-huckabee-donald-trumps-pick-for-us-ambassador-to-israel-775719">Who is Mike Huckabee? Donald Trump's pick for US ambassador to Israel</a>

<h2>Trump's mass deportation</h2>

The US President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to enact mass deportation once he assumes office in January. Tom Homan, Trump's newly nominated 'Border Czar' on Monday, said that the incoming Trump 2.0 administration would target those living illegally in the US and who they consider a public safety threat.

Migration experts have predicted that Trump’s return to office could trigger significant migration to Canada, as undocumented people in the US seek refuge north of the border.

During Donald Trump’s first term, thousands of Haitians fled the US, seeking asylum in Canada after losing temporary protected status in America.

At that time, Trudeau took to social media to say: “To those fleeing persecution, terror &amp; war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength #WelcomeToCanada.”

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-announces-tom-homan-as-border-czar-to-handle-deportation-of-illegal-aliens-775269">Donald Trump announces Tom Homan as 'border czar' to handle 'deportation of illegal aliens'</a>

However, recently, Canada Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said her government “absolutely recognize[d] the importance to border security and of controlling our own border, of controlling who comes into Canada and who doesn’t”.

Reportedly, Canada’s federal police force has been developing a strategy for “several months” to manage potential increases in border crossings.

However, migration experts have slammed the government’s shift. Audrey Macklin, a law professor at the University of Toronto, said: “Canada’s first and only response to what might be persecution in a neighbouring country is, ‘How do we prevent people from escaping to our country?’ It’s certainly familiar, unsurprising, and disappointing.”

(With inputs from agencies)

Canada's immigration minister, Marc Miller, has taken a hardline stance on immigration and stated that “not everyone is welcome” in Canada. This comes, as the country braces for a potential influx of migrants fleeing the US to escape the mass deportations US President-elect Donald Trump has pledged.

Canada's immigration minister, Marc Miller, has taken a hardline stance on immigration and stated that “not everyone is welcome” in Canada. This comes, as the country braces for a potential influx of migrants fleeing the US to escape the mass deportations US President-elect Donald Trump has pledged. Canada changing tunes? Miller’s statement, as per the Guardian, is a notable departure from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s 2017 promise that “Canadians will welcome” asylum seekers. As per the report, experts have chalked up this shift in tone on immigration and refugee policy to the dwindling public support for immigration. Also read | Who is Mike Huckabee? Donald Trump's pick for US ambassador to Israel Trump's mass deportation The US President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to enact mass deportation once he assumes office in January. Tom Homan, Trump's newly nominated 'Border Czar' on Monday, said that the incoming Trump 2.0 administration would target those living illegally in the US and who they consider a public safety threat. Migration experts have predicted that Trump’s return to office could trigger significant migration to Canada, as undocumented people in the US seek refuge north of the border. During Donald Trump’s first term, thousands of Haitians fled the US, seeking asylum in Canada after losing temporary protected status in America. At that time, Trudeau took to social media to say: “To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength #WelcomeToCanada.” Also read | Donald Trump announces Tom Homan as 'border czar' to handle 'deportation of illegal aliens' However, recently, Canada Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said her government “absolutely recognize[d] the importance to border security and of controlling our own border, of controlling who comes into Canada and who doesn’t”. Reportedly, Canada’s federal police force has been developing a strategy for “several months” to manage potential increases in border crossings. However, migration experts have slammed the government’s shift. Audrey Macklin, a law professor at the University of Toronto, said: “Canada’s first and only response to what might be persecution in a neighbouring country is, ‘How do we prevent people from escaping to our country?’ It’s certainly familiar, unsurprising, and disappointing.” (With inputs from agencies)

Canada says 'not everyone is welcome' as Trump 2.0 mass deportations loom

The U.S. has reached a deal with Canada and Mexico to remove U.S. tariffs from steel and aluminum from the two countries. U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made their announcements simultaneously.

Trump, Trudeau announce lifting of metals tariffs

Ottawa and Washington on Friday stepped up pressure on Beijing, calling for the immediate release of two <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/third-canadian-held-for-working-illegally-in-the-country-china-185479">Canadians detained</a> in apparent retaliation for the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/china-should-free-canadians-held-after-huawei-arrest-uss-pompeo-says-184185">arrest in Vancouver of a top Chinese tech executive</a> on a US warrant.

The European Union also said it was backing Canada in the detentions dispute, in which Ottawa has been caught up in the rivalry between Beijing and Washington.

"We are deeply concerned by the arbitrary detention by Chinese authorities of two Canadians earlier this month and call for their immediate release," Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said in a statement.

US State Department spokesman Robert Palladino also called for the two to be freed, while European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini said through a spokesperson: "The EU supports the efforts of the Canadian government."

China detained former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig and China-based business consultant Michael Spavor on December 10, following Canada's arrest of Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou while she was changing planes in Vancouver on December 1.

Meng was later released on bail pending the outcome of an extradition hearing. The United States -- which is locked in a trade war with Beijing -- has accused her of violating sanctions on Iran.

She is now living under electronic surveillance in a luxury home in Vancouver, welcoming visitors daily and writing a blog, while Kovrig and Spavor have been held under more difficult conditions and denied access to lawyers.

"Canada will not compromise nor politicize the rule of law and due process," Freeland said.

"Canada is conducting a fair, unbiased and transparent legal proceeding with respect to Meng Wanzhou," she said, adding that Canada "respects its international legal commitments, including by honoring its extradition treaty with the United States."

EU High Representative Mogherini's spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic said China's declared motive for the arrest and detention of the Canadians "raises concerns about legitimate research and business practices in China."

'Harm to national security'

Kocijancic said the denial of access to lawyers also "is contrary to the right of defense."

"The European Union calls on the Chinese authorities to answer these concerns," she said.

The Canadians were arrested for what China has said is suspicion of "harm to national security" -- a phrase often used by Beijing when alleging espionage.

Some analysts believe the arrests of Kovrig and Spavor -- who had arranged trips to North Korea, including for former NBA star Dennis Rodman -- were a means for Beijing to pressure Ottawa into releasing Meng.

"In China, there is no coincidence and it is clear that their arrest, especially that of Mr Kovrig, was to send a message to the Canadian government," Guy Saint-Jacques, Canada's former ambassador to China, told AFP.

"The whole thing is a process where they try to apply the maximum psychological pressure but without resorting to brutality," he explained.

Hugh Pope, a spokesman for Kovrig's employer, the International Crisis Group, a think tank that analyzes conflicts and geopolitical flashpoints, said Kovrig "must be tired and stressed."

"Others in similar situations have described their condition of detention after having been released. They speak of intensive questioning, that the lights in their room aren't ever switched off, and so on," he said.

"There is no reason to believe that it is otherwise for Michael. That is very worrying to us."

Canada's ambassador to China, John McCallum, was able to meet Kovrig last Friday, officials in Ottawa said.

A third Canadian citizen, identified as Sarah McIver, was arrested this week and accused of visa violations, the Chinese foreign ministry said.

But her case seems less serious than those of her compatriots, Chinese officials said, and she is being held by local rather than national security forces.

Ottawa and Washington on Friday stepped up pressure on Beijing, calling for the immediate release of two Canadians detained in apparent retaliation for the arrest in Vancouver of a top Chinese tech executive on a US warrant.

Ottawa and Washington on Friday stepped up pressure on Beijing, calling for the immediate release of two Canadians detained in apparent retaliation for the arrest in Vancouver of a top Chinese tech executive on a US warrant. The European Union also said it was backing Canada in the detentions dispute, in which Ottawa has been caught up in the rivalry between Beijing and Washington. "We are deeply concerned by the arbitrary detention by Chinese authorities of two Canadians earlier this month and call for their immediate release," Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said in a statement. US State Department spokesman Robert Palladino also called for the two to be freed, while European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini said through a spokesperson: "The EU supports the efforts of the Canadian government." China detained former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig and China-based business consultant Michael Spavor on December 10, following Canada's arrest of Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou while she was changing planes in Vancouver on December 1. Meng was later released on bail pending the outcome of an extradition hearing. The United States -- which is locked in a trade war with Beijing -- has accused her of violating sanctions on Iran. She is now living under electronic surveillance in a luxury home in Vancouver, welcoming visitors daily and writing a blog, while Kovrig and Spavor have been held under more difficult conditions and denied access to lawyers. "Canada will not compromise nor politicize the rule of law and due process," Freeland said. "Canada is conducting a fair, unbiased and transparent legal proceeding with respect to Meng Wanzhou," she said, adding that Canada "respects its international legal commitments, including by honoring its extradition treaty with the United States." EU High Representative Mogherini's spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic said China's declared motive for the arrest and detention of the Canadians "raises concerns about legitimate research and business practices in China." 'Harm to national security' Kocijancic said the denial of access to lawyers also "is contrary to the right of defense." "The European Union calls on the Chinese authorities to answer these concerns," she said. The Canadians were arrested for what China has said is suspicion of "harm to national security" -- a phrase often used by Beijing when alleging espionage. Some analysts believe the arrests of Kovrig and Spavor -- who had arranged trips to North Korea, including for former NBA star Dennis Rodman -- were a means for Beijing to pressure Ottawa into releasing Meng. "In China, there is no coincidence and it is clear that their arrest, especially that of Mr Kovrig, was to send a message to the Canadian government," Guy Saint-Jacques, Canada's former ambassador to China, told AFP. "The whole thing is a process where they try to apply the maximum psychological pressure but without resorting to brutality," he explained. Hugh Pope, a spokesman for Kovrig's employer, the International Crisis Group, a think tank that analyzes conflicts and geopolitical flashpoints, said Kovrig "must be tired and stressed." "Others in similar situations have described their condition of detention after having been released. They speak of intensive questioning, that the lights in their room aren't ever switched off, and so on," he said. "There is no reason to believe that it is otherwise for Michael. That is very worrying to us." Canada's ambassador to China, John McCallum, was able to meet Kovrig last Friday, officials in Ottawa said. A third Canadian citizen, identified as Sarah McIver, was arrested this week and accused of visa violations, the Chinese foreign ministry said. But her case seems less serious than those of her compatriots, Chinese officials said, and she is being held by local rather than national security forces.

Canada, US call for 'immediate release' of two Canadians held by China

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Canada says 'not everyone is welcome' as Trump 2.0 mass deportations loom

Trump, Trudeau announce lifting of metals tariffs

Canada, US call for 'immediate release' of two Canadians held by China