Thread: Mexican visa decision throws tourists, Canadian industry int

Mexican visa decision throws tourists, Canadian industry into panic Module body

1 hour, 46 minutes ago
By Jennifer Ditchburn, The Canadian Press

OTTAWA - Mexican travellers and the Canadian tourism industry that serves them were sent into panic mode Tuesday after the sudden announcement of a new visa requirement for visitors from that country.

The visa requirement was also applied to citizens entering Canada from the Czech Republic, after a two-year reprieve. Both decisions were based on a growing number of refugee claims.

The Czech government responded by recalling its ambassador to Canada and imposing visa requirements on Canadian diplomats and business travellers.

But it was the Mexican visa requirement, announced by Immigration Minister Jason Kenney late Monday, that's causing the most waves.

Mexico was the sixth-largest source of tourists to Canada last year, with 266,000 visitors, and the numbers had been steadily increasing.

Finding a Mexican visiting Parliament Hill, for example, is as easy as tuning in to Spanish chatter around the Peace Tower or the Eternal Flame.

"This has been a difficult year for our country," said Larissa Montiel of Mexico City, part of a group of high school teachers visiting for a month.

"There's the swine flu, and people shutting their doors to us, and now these immigration problems. It's sad for us."

Miriam Llorete was visiting her brother, who works for the Canadian government.

"It's one more thing that you need to do, so it's going to be hard to come and visit you," said Llorete, who came with her daughter and mother from Mazatlan.

Tour operators, hotel owners and other Canadian businesses that depend on Mexican tourism described the decision as a "bomb" that would affect both their revenues and their staffing levels.

The industry is calling on the Conservative government to delay the visa requirement until November, to allow it to cope with the change.

Hume Rogers of Ottawa's Capital Hotel and Suites had 25 rooms booked for 10 days this month with a Mexican tour group.

"What really hurts about this is that there was no warning at all ... and all of a sudden, basically the day the doors were supposed to open on the beginning of the peak season, they're being shut in our face a little bit."

But Mexico is also the largest source of refugee claims in Canada - 9,400 last year, with only 11 per cent deemed legitimate.

Kenney said in an interview that there has already been a 50 per cent rise in claims in 2009.

He blamed the claims on unscrupulous operatives in Mexico who charge for advice on how to successfully launch a refugee claim in Canada.

"We regret the decision ourselves. We'd rather have visa-free travel, and Mexico is an important partner and friend of Canada's," Kenney said.

"However the reality is that even though we've had ongoing discussions with the Mexican authorities over this problem, it's gotten worse not better."

Refugee advocates slammed the decision, saying it would block people who are fleeing life-threatening situations in both Mexico and the Czech Republic. Human rights organizations continue to document persecution and systemic discrimination of the Roma minority in the Czech Republic.

Geraldine MacDonald, president of the Refugee Lawyers Association, said the government has been slow to fill vacancies on the Immigration and Refugee Board, making it the real architect of an application backlog.

"To take this action against these two countries specifically on the grounds that there is a high volume of refugee claims from these countries is contrary to the human rights principles and sense of justice that Canada stands for," MacDonald said in a statement.

In Mexico City, people with plans to visit Canadian cities this summer flooded the Canadian Embassy and their travel agents with calls, trying to figure out what they needed to do to get their documents on time. A 48-hour grace period for Mexicans with imminent travel was to expire at 10 p.m. ET Tuesday.

A source with Citizenship and Immigration said the embassy had established two lines for dealing with the hundreds who had showed up to inquire about the visa applications - one to hand out forms and the other to receive filled out packages and the $85 cheques.

The process was being expedited for people with imminent travel plans, seasonal workers and students. The government plans to begin an advertising campaign to bring Mexicans up to speed on the change, and open visa offices in other cities.

Carla Rosa, director of GrupoTravel's head office in Mexico City, called the situation a "mess," saying that many clients were vacationing outside of the capital or country and were not in a position to suddenly apply for a visa.

"There's a lot of uncertainty and people are upset," said Rosa. "It surprised all of us, and there are passengers who had been considering tour packages to Canada who are now deciding they shouldn't bother."

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/0907 ... xico_czech

"However the reality is that even though we've had ongoing discussions with the Mexican authorities over this problem, it's gotten worse not better."

Has anyone ever seen discussions with the Mexican authorities get better? I've said it before and I will say it again. If you don't give them what they want they just take it. They don't care if they have to hurt you to do it.

We have to continue to put our foot down and enforce our laws.

What's wrong with Mexico implementing an immunizations plan for all who are visiting other countries..or what, they can't afford it?

Originally Posted by Rockfish

What's wrong with Mexico implementing an immunizations plan for all who are visiting other countries..or what, they can't afford it?

It's more about Mexicans declaring themselves refugees, so that they can stay in Canada, than about flu.

But Mexico is also the largest source of refugee claims in Canada - 9,400 last year, with only 11 per cent deemed legitimate.

Funny how Canada can do what they want to restrict tourists that never go home and false claimants for amnesty, but we are hog-tied and ham-strung to even suggest something like that.

Originally Posted by Rockfish

What's wrong with Mexico implementing an immunizations plan for all who are visiting other countries..or what, they can't afford it?

I am sure they would expect the Americans to pay for it and our government no doubt would oblige! Besides it probably all our fault!

Originally Posted by SOSADFORUS

Originally Posted by Rockfish

What's wrong with Mexico implementing an immunizations plan for all who are visiting other countries..or what, they can't afford it?

I am sure they would expect the Americans to pay for it and our government no doubt would oblige! Besides it probably all our fault!

Yeah well the brainwashing ain't working here. I am sick and tired of the same old same old BS.....Mexico needs to take care of its own!!!

From: Citizenship and Immigration Canada

News Release

Canada imposes a visa on Mexico

Ottawa, July 13, 2009 — Beginning 12:01 a.m. EDT on July 14, 2009, Mexican nationals will require a visa to travel to Canada, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today. For the first 48 hours, Mexican citizens may apply for entry on arrival in Canada. After 11:59 p.m. EDT July 15, 2009, a visa will be required.

Refugee claims from Mexico have almost tripled since 2005, making it the number one source country for claims. In 2008, more than 9,400 claims filed in Canada came from Mexican nationals, representing 25 per cent of all claims received. Of the Mexican claims reviewed and finalized in 2008 by the Immigration and Refugee Board, an independent administrative tribunal, only 11 per cent were accepted.

“In addition to creating significant delays and spiraling new costs in our refugee program, the sheer volume of these claims is undermining our ability to help people fleeing real persecution,â€