Canada has reported an increase in the number of Americans seeking refugee status, according to data released by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB).

In the first half of 2025, 245 Americans filed refugee claims, surpassing the 204 claims filed throughout all of 2024.

"Why does Newsweek care about this .00007 percent of the population who want higher taxes, worse health care, and anti-American trade policies?" White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly told Newsweek .

Newsweek has contacted the IRB for comment.

Why It Matters

This marks the highest number of U.S. claims in any full year since 2019, highlighting an uptick in cross-border asylum-seeking activity. Under the Trump administration, U.S. policy shifts and court rulings have restricted access to gender-a

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