Canada: Protests over US border policies in Montréal June 22 and 25

Event

Protests over US border policies are scheduled to take place in front of the US Consulate General in Montréal on Friday, June 22, and Monday, June 25. The June 22 protest is slated to begin at 15:00 (local time) and last until 19:00. The demonstration on June 25 is set to be held from 11:00 to 13:00. Hundreds of people are expected to participate in the demonstrations. A heightened security presence and localized traffic disruptions are anticipated near the US Consulate General during the protests.

Context

The main controversy stems from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) practice of separating families seeking asylum at the US-Mexico border. The Trump administration has introduced several controversial immigration policies, including the prosecution of asylum-seekers with illegal entry at the border. Families traveling with minors who are detained at the border have also been separated. Under federal law, minors are protected from being housed in detention facilities and are instead housed in shelters or with sponsors.

On June 20, President Trump signed an executive order to keep family members together who have illegally entered the US from Mexico to seek asylum amid an international outcry from political and religious leaders over the border policies. The executive order directs authorities to "maintain family unity," including detaining entire families together "where appropriate and consistent with law and available resources." However, protests are expected to continue as questions remain over the implementation of this new order, and the immediate fate of children already separated from their parents remains unclear.

Advice

Individuals in Montréal are advised to avoid all demonstrations as a precaution.