A legal challenge is being launched against the Canada-U.S. agreement that governs where people can make asylum claims on either side of the border.
Three advocacy groups are throwing their support behind a woman identified only as “E” in asking the Federal Court to strike down the so-called Safe Third Country Agreement.
READ MORE: Anyone crossing the border illegally whose claim is rejected will be sent home, not back to U.S.
Under the deal, most people who make an asylum claim at the land border are denied entry — and as a result, there’s been an influx of people crossing illegally into Canada in recent months to file asylum claims.
The Canadian Council for Refugees, Amnesty International and the Canadian Council of Churches are among the many groups urging Canada to suspend the arrangement following major changes to U.S.
immigration and refugee policy.
Now, they’re asking the Federal Court to step in, arguing that sending claimants back to the U.S. is morally and legally wrong because it risks violating their basic rights.
WATCH: Justin Trudeau responds to calls on suspending Safe Third Country Agreement