Canada or Mexico? Experts share insights for Haitian migrants weighing options

With the rollback of protections like Temporary Protected Status in the United States, the suspension of Canada’s family sponsorship program and Mexico’s rising asylum backlog, Haitians are facing fewer and riskier options for immigration. But acting out of the resulting anxiety could land families in ICE detention or deportation, so it’s critical that families plan if the United States is no longer a feasible option.

During a recent community conversation by The Haitian Times on immigration, panelists emphasized the importance of careful planning—consulting attorneys, securing proper documents and understanding legal barriers—before making any moves such as driving to Canada to request asylum.

“Don’t make a decision out of panic,” said panelist Yola Lamarre, an immigration advocate based in Columbus, Ohio.

“People say, ‘I have family there, I’m just going,’” Lamarre continued, referring to Canada. “Then they’re detained because no one knows their alien number or has access to their documents. We’re seeing this over and over.”

“We have to now plan—God forbid, if you get detained,” she added. “The more we know, the better it is to try to fight to see if you can get to Canada and try to prevent deportation.”

Moderated by The Haitian Times Special Project Editor, Macollvie Neel, the July 14 panel focused on growing concerns from Haitian migrants navigating a rapidly shifting immigration landscape. It featured Mexico-based Annika Hom, Canada-based Chantallya Louis –  both contributing reporters for The Haitian Times – and Lamarre. 

All three reiterated that preparation has become even more critical under the U.S.-Canada Safe Third Country Agreement, which requires asylum seekers to request protection in the first safe country they enter—either the United States or Canada. In other words, Canadian authorities are obligated to turn them back to U.S. officials, often resulting in detention or deportation proceedings.

Canada rules tightened, but options still exist 

More than 200,000 Haitians reside in Canada, primarily in Quebec province, with Montreal being home to 178,000 as of 2023. In 2017 and 2019, nearly 40,000 Haitians left the United States in response to the first Trump administration’s immigration policies, with about 7.5 percent relocating to Canada.

“We’re expecting something similar,” Louis said. “In April, earlier this year, we saw 14,000 people in two weeks.”

As the numbers grow, however, immigration pathways in Canada are being “tightened up, especially in Quebec,” she said. According to Louis, officials are declining immigration and asylum cases over social fears that there aren’t enough resources to aid a growing population. Like areas in the U.S., the housing shortage is an issue, as are other societal problems that immigrants are being scapegoated for.

“It’s getting very difficult to immigrate, especially to Quebec City,” she said, noting that migrants are still risking dangerous border crossings in freezing temperatures.

“Right now, the Haitian community is pretty much scared of what’s going to happen to their families that are moving to the U.S. or even to Haitians who are in Haiti right now, and they’re trying to move to Canada.”

Louis said Haitians should consider options in Quebec, where most may have family members. Other provinces may be more open, depending on the area’s needs and the eligibility of the migrant for specific programs. She encouraged them to check Canada’s immigration website in planning.

More Haitians choosing Mexico 

In Mexico, Hom noted a shift: Haitians are no longer just passing through from Latin American countries to the U.S. as their ultimate destination. Many are staying and finding work, but success depends on preparation.

“Those who planned ahead now have apartments and jobs. But others are still in overcrowded shelters, hoping for appointments that may never come,” Hom said.

Historically, Haitians have been transient communities in Mexico, with the ultimate goal of reaching the U.S.

In 2014, there were roughly 1,300 asylum requests to the Mexican government. In 2019, the number of asylum requests ballooned to 70,000 from citizens of various countries. However, for the last five years, Haiti has routinely been among the top 5 countries of origin for asylum seekers in Mexico. In 2024, about 11,000 Haitians applied for asylum in Mexico.

Hom explained that following the cancellation of the CBP One app, migrants from Haiti, Cuba and Venezuela had to contend with whether or not Mexico would be their final destination. She said the app also required migrants to be physically in Mexico to even get that processed, which resulted in a lot of migrant camps.

“Now that [the CBP app] is no longer around, Haitians and other immigrants are deciding, ‘Well, if we can’t go back home, then I might as well try to stay here in Mexico.’ And that’s why we’re seeing a surge now of applications,” she added.

Recently, migrant encampments and “Little Haiti” areas are disappearing as Haitians obtain permits to work, travel around, obtain healthcare and enroll their children into school—all benefits Mexico provides to migrants it approves to remain.

“The conversations are around, of the Haitians who are here, how do they make that a sustainable Little Haiti where they are,” Hom continued. 

While there is some anti-immigrant and replacement theory rhetoric surfacing in Mexico, like in Canada and the U.S., many Mexican organizations and advocates have been sympathetic to the plight of Haitian, Hom highlighted. Some are very empathetic to all immigrants and even more specifically to Haitians because they recognize there is a component of anti-Blackness racism and a language barrier.

Canada and Mexico: Neither is a simple fix

Ultimately, the panelists reiterated, no matter which country is being considered, securing documents, consulting credible attorneys and building support networks could mean the difference between resettling safely and facing deportation.

“There are people fighting for you,” Lamarre also said. “Figure out what’s happening. Tune out all of the TikTok noise. Hone in on credible news sources and, as Haitian Americans [in the diaspora], help filter out [misinformation] and how to navigate media literacy.”

Vania André contributed to this report.

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