Montreal's Haitian community and legal advocates are calling on Canadian and Quebec governments to provide additional support for asylum seekers.
This request comes as the expiration of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in the U.S. leaves thousands of people without legal residency. Advocates warn that the lack of legal status creates an immediate risk of deportation and severe hardship for those unable to return to Haiti.
The TPS for Haitians officially expired on Monday, July 22, 2026 [2]. This termination affects approximately 30,000 Haitians living in the U.S. [1]. Legal experts and organizations said that the end of these protections also impacts Syrians, further increasing the number of people facing precarious legal situations [1].
Community leaders in Montreal are concerned that the loss of U.S. legal status will trigger a surge of asylum seekers crossing into Canada. They are urging the government to establish safe pathways to prevent a humanitarian crisis at the border.
"We cannot stand by while our community members are left in limbo," said Jean‑Baptiste Pierre, director of the Haitian Community Association of Montreal.
Immigration lawyer Marie‑Claire Desrosiers said the end of TPS will create a humanitarian crisis for thousands of Haitians already in the U.S. The legal void leaves individuals without the right to work or live legally, pushing some to seek refuge in neighboring countries, including Canada.
Local advocates and organizations that assist asylum seekers are now bracing for a possible influx of arrivals in Quebec. They argue that without a coordinated government response, the existing support systems for refugees will be overwhelmed.
"Canada must step up and provide safe pathways for those seeking asylum," said Phil Carpenter.
“"We cannot stand by while our community members are left in limbo."”
The expiration of TPS shifts the burden of a U.S. policy change onto Canadian social and legal infrastructure. Because TPS provided a legal bridge for thousands of migrants, its sudden removal creates a 'push factor' that may increase irregular migration patterns across the U.S.-Canada border, necessitating a policy shift in Quebec to manage potential arrivals.
