Canada’s top court could be asked to rule if US safe for refugees

Advocates say deal that allows Canada to quickly expel most asylum seekers at US border should be rescinded.

Montreal, Canada – It was early April 2017 when Nedira Mustefa, an Ethiopian woman who had lived in the United States since childhood but did not hold immigration status, reached the Canadian border in search of protection. After 30 hours of interrogation, Canadian officials turned her back, pointing to an agreement between the two neighbouring nations that allows Canada to summarily return most asylum seekers who arrive at its border from the US. Back in the US, Mustefa was detained at a New York state correctional facility for one month, including one week in solitary confinement, which she described as “a terrifying, isolating and psychologically traumatic experience”. She said she was fed pork against her beliefs as a Muslim woman, could not use blankets during the day despite the frigid cold, and did not know when she would be released.