CANADA TO REJECT REFUGEES WITH CLAIMS IN OTHER COUNTRIES

Canada intends to change the law to make it harder for asylum seekers rejected by countries like the US to file refugee claims at the border.

The move comes as thousands of asylum seekers have crossed the border after their claims were rejected in the US.

Amendments were introduced in the Liberal government's 392-page budget bill.

An influx of asylum seekers crossing at the US-Canada border has become a hot button political issue.

The law would allow immigration officers at the border to reject refugee claims if the asylum seeker has already made a claim in another country that has an immigration information-sharing agreement with Canada. These countries include the US, UK, Australia and New Zealand.

The asylum seeker would no longer be entitled to an oral hearing and the claim could not be appealed to an independent tribunal. Instead, denied claimants would have the right to submit a written, pre-removal risk assessment.

In this year's budget, the government pledged to spend more than C$1bn for border services over the next five years.