National Victory for Migrant and Refugee Rights

Newfoundland and Labrador becomes the tenth and last province in Canada committed to ending immigration detention in its local jails as the practice violates international human rights standards.

“We commend the provinces for their decisions to stop locking up refugee claimants and migrants in jails solely on immigration grounds,” states Ketty Nivyabandi, Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada’s English-speaking section.

The #WelcomeToCanada campaign was launched in October 2021, urging provinces to stop the practice by ending their immigration detention agreements and arrangements with the Canada Border Services Agency. Advocates, lawyers, healthcare providers, faith leaders, people who experienced immigration detention, and leading social justice organizations have all called for the end of the practice. As of March 31, 2025, when Newfoundland and Labrador’s agreements and arrangements expire, the Agency will no longer be able to detain migrants and asylum seekers in the province’s jails. Viable alternatives to detention across Canada exist, such as investing in rights-respecting, community-based programs operated by local nonprofit organizations not affiliated with the border agency.