Toronto, Canada — The International Railroad for Queer Refugees (IRQR) and the Marjan Foundation express deep shock and disappointment over Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) abrupt decision to temporarily halt the intake of refugee sponsorship applications from Groups of Five and Community Sponsors under the Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) Program. This measure, which took effect on November 29, 2024, was announced without any prior notice, leaving sponsors unable to finalize and submit applications that have been months in the making.
The IRCC cited a growing application inventory and lengthy processing times as the rationale behind the decision, which will remain in place until December 31, 2025. While the announcement aims to expedite processing for existing applications, the lack of transparency and consultation has left sponsors, refugees, and stakeholders deeply concerned. Refugees in precarious situations, especially in Türkiye and other host countries, now face an additional year of uncertainty and waiting. The impact on their mental health and physical safety cannot be overstated, as many already live in vulnerable conditions without the right to work or adequate protection.
The Canadian government’s Government-Assisted Refugee (GAR) program has left many refugees without resettlement opportunities, as resources are often disproportionately allocated to politically motivated priorities. This has excluded countless refugees recognized by the UNHCR, leaving private sponsorship as their only viable pathway to safety. The sudden halt of new applications effectively extinguishes that hope for thousands of refugees.
While IRQR and the Marjan Foundation recognize the need to reduce backlogs and improve processing times, we strongly believe that IRCC’s approach unfairly targets refugees—the most vulnerable group of immigrants. Refugees make up a small proportion of Canada’s immigration programs, and the solution lies in increasing efficiency, not in reducing access to life-saving opportunities.
The future of the PSR Program remains uncertain. IRCC has provided no assurances that the application process will resume after December 31, 2025, leaving sponsors and refugees in limbo. Given IRCC’s ability to implement such sweeping changes overnight, without consultation, we are deeply concerned about further disruptions that could affect those whose lives depend on this program.
This decision undermines Canada’s reputation as a leader in refugee protection. Instead of halting applications from refugees, IRCC could have implemented fairer measures, such as limiting intake across all immigration streams for a defined period. By targeting refugees specifically, this policy disproportionately affects individuals fleeing persecution and violence.
The IRQR and Marjan Foundation urge IRCC to provide clarity and transparency about the future of the PSR Program and to engage meaningfully with stakeholders to develop policies that uphold Canada’s values of fairness, compassion, and inclusivity. Refugees are not just numbers in a backlog—they are human beings whose lives depend on timely and compassionate action.
For many refugees, every day of waiting is a day of risk, instability, and fear. We call on IRCC to reaffirm Canada’s commitment to refugee protection and to ensure that its policies reflect the values that have made this country a global leader in resettlement.
For more information or to support our work, please contact:
Arsham Parsi
Executive Director, IRQR & Marjan Foundation
Phone: 416-985-7456
Email: info@irqr.ca
Websites: www.irqr.ca | www.marjanfoundation.org
