Canada

Kim explained one theory she has for the increase in asylum claims in Waterloo Region is the increased cost of living. She’s had clients who cannot afford to pay for tuition and for the cost of living on their own, so they’re forced to drop out of school, meaning they no longer have student permits.

“Because of the housing crisis, because of the living expenses that are rapidly increasing, there’s only so much you can do on your own to afford all of that, right? Before, if you worked really, really hard, and studied in the day and worked at night, perhaps you could get by a little bit,” Kim said.

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Miller said some of those students come to Canada with the hope of a safe future and a successful career.

“[They] have it dashed quickly when they can’t get a job or get a crappy education and then have to file for asylum in some of the worst case scenarios, and that it’s an uncommon occurrence,” Miller said.