As faces do excepcionalismo canadense na política migratória : entre o multiculturalismo e a securitização

Abstract

Migration is an intrinsic humanity phenomenon and a recurring theme in international relations debates. Throughout history, various events have triggered migratory flows in different parts of the world. Conversely, the global scenario in the 21st century has increasingly highlighted negative perspectives on this phenomenon, especially associating immigrants with crime. After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, in the United States, International Security Studies (ISS) began to encompass new themes beyond the political and military aspects, and in this context, migration is seen as a threat to national security. The securitization theory of the Copenhagen School explains the construction of a discourse that emphasizes a substantial threat to the point of producing political effects that, for the most part, result in negative impacts on certain groups within a society. In recent years, policies and measures restricting the entry of immigrants have intensified, especially in Europe and the United States, including in cases of asylum applications. Canada is internationally viewed as a welcoming country for immigrants and has multiculturalism as one of the main aspects of its society. This reflects the idea of Canadian exceptionalism in immigration policy. However, the country not only has a history of discriminatory laws against immigrants but is also not immune to the process of securitization. This work seeks precisely to describe securitizing legal instruments adopted by Canada after 2001 that directly affect immigrants and certain social groups, in addition to the actions of the media and the Canadian far right.