The STCA's original purpose was really to reduce the pressures faced by the IRB in terms of the number of claims being made at the time. If you think about that policy reason, why the STCA was put in place, it is obviously failing.
As acknowledged by a member of the committee earlier today, there are people coming regardless of whether or not the STCA is in place. I think the question should be, how do we manage the border in a planned, orderly and compassionate way? This goes back to Professor Macklin's comment about what is most practical.
As well, we should really think about the fact that applying the safe third country agreement really means we're not meeting our international obligations when it comes to refugee protection. We cannot stand here and espouse the way in which the world should be convening and talking about refugee protection when, in our own backyard, we're not complying with international obligations.
I've spoken at length in front of the committee before about the violations that are occurring, that people are being turned back to face risks in their home country and even hardship and trauma within the United States.
Finally, I want to say that we should really trust our system. We have a well-oiled immigration system in place. We should use our legal, official ports of entry instead of these makeshift places and not complicate the matter. Ultimately, our obligation is to process these claims. We shouldn't be focused on how people are coming and trying to stop them from coming. Let's live up to our international obligations.