The Ontario Bar Association’s Citizenship and Immigration Law Section met with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) in May 2025 for the biannual liaison meeting. These discussions offer a rare opportunity to engage directly with CBSA’s enforcement leadership, clarify operational trends, and flag emerging practitioner concerns.
Detention and Enforcement Priorities
CBSA confirmed that immigration enforcement, detention infrastructure, and meeting increased removal targets are top priorities for the current fiscal year. With the agreement between CBSA and Ontario’s correctional system set to end in September 2025, detention space will be consolidated at the Rexdale Immigration Holding Centre and through alternatives to detention (ATDs). Counsel should expect infrastructure changes at the Rexdale facility, including new sanitized units designed to support individuals with behavioural risks.
Enforcement numbers remain significantly lower than pre-pandemic levels. CBSA is not currently anticipating a surge in refugee claims from the United States but confirmed that contingency plans are in place.
Dormant Files and Delayed Enforcement Referrals
Counsel raised concerns about enforcement files that sit dormant for years before being referred to the Immigration Division. CBSA acknowledged this delay, noting that cases involving minor inadmissibility grounds (e.g., misrepresentation) may be deprioritized in favour of detained or more serious matters.
However, counsel are encouraged to reach out directly to CBSA to request assignment of files. Officers can elevate cases when appropriate, especially when prolonged delay may prejudice the client or intersect with a pending application.