Congratulations to Ryan Dean, shortlisted for the Canadian Association for Refugee and Forced Migration Studies (CARFMS / ACERMF) 2021 essay contest. The essay contest is held each year to recognize the most outstanding scholarship produced by students in Canada, in the field of refugee and forced migration studies.
Ryan’s paper is entitled “Discourse and the Securitization of Asylum Seekers to Canada.”
“This paper was originally written for Politics of Migration Management (PSCI 4610) before being submitted to the CARFMS 2021 essay contest. I am thankful to my TA for that class, Rachel McNally, for encouraging me to submit my paper for the contest.
Thousands of people seek asylum in Canada every year. The language used by politicians and security actors to address these individuals can have a profound impact, not only on public perception, but the implementation of public policy. When asylum seekers are referred to as illegitimate or bogus refugees, it can play a key role in the implementation of securitized immigration policies. This includes increased detention and removal powers, as well as reduced procedural guarantees and reviews. These reforms result in the criminalization of asylum seekers, and pose unintended policy consequences, such as increasing irregular migration and violating human rights.
The research I conducted examined how Canada’s asylum system is securitized and the consequent effects of this securitization. My research provided me with many pieces of literature regarding securitized discourse. By linking the securitization of asylum seekers to the discourse presented by politicians and security actors, one can understand how certain discourse leads to the implementation of securitized immigration policies. In turn, these policies have a variety of negative effects. Although this paper focuses on asylum seekers and the Canadian context, the connection between securitization and discourse can be found worldwide in many different contexts.
I am happy to have taken both PSCI 4610 and Politics of Forced Migration (PSCI 4817) at Carleton University, as they provided me with an opportunity to learn more about immigration and refugee issues. As a recent graduate, I hope to take what I have learned and apply myself to future work and academic opportunities.”
Ryan Dean
Ryan recently graduated with a BA Major Political Science (concentration in International Relations), Minor History. He currently works at Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, a department where he previously worked as a coop student.