U.S. group helping Jewish families flee Canada urges Trump administration to offer refugee status

A U.S.-based organization assisting Jewish families fleeing Canada has urged the Trump administration to grant refugee status to Canadian Jews who claim to face threats due to increasing antisemitism. The request comes amid reports that thousands of Canadian Jews are seeking to relocate, fearing for their safety following incidents involving antisemitic violence. Joe Roberts, executive director of Jewish Tulsa, a group dedicated to welcoming Jewish individuals to Oklahoma, emphasized the need for an asylum pathway. Roberts, who relocated from Ontario to Tulsa, stated that the situation in Canada has become so dire that many are considering moving abroad. He described the issue as a nationwide concern, noting a fundamental shift in public discourse regarding antisemitism. Roberts recounted his personal journey, having moved to Ontario in 2016 for work opportunities. However, he eventually left the United States due to concerns about democratic backsliding during the Trump presidency. After settling in Coburg, Ontario, he began noticing an increase in antisemitic graffiti in his local area, leading him to reconsider his stay in Canada. Following the 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel, which led to Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, Roberts observed a surge in antisemitic sentiments. This prompted his family to seek a new home, ultimately choosing Tulsa, where they were supported by the group Tulsa Tomorrow. This organization offers assistance to Jewish individuals looking to relocate, including guided tours and logistical support. According to Roberts, approximately 800 to 900 Jewish Canadian families have reached out to Tulsa Tomorrow, representing roughly 2,000 people contemplating relocation. Most of these individuals are eligible for visas under the North American trade agreement CUSMA or may qualify for American citizenship through familial connections. While the U.S. faces its own challenges with antisemitism, the American Jewish Committee's 2025 report highlighted it as one of the most violent years for American Jews in recent history. Nearly half of Jews under the age of 30 reported experiencing personal targeting due to antisemitism. Roberts advocated for the U.S. to create an immigration pathway for Canadian Jews who are at risk and can demonstrate insufficient protection from their government. He expressed hope that Canadian authorities would address the issue of antisemitism more effectively. The Trump administration has imposed restrictions on asylum claims but created a controversial resettlement program for Afrikaners from South Africa. Roberts argued that when a nation, whether a foreign dictatorship or an ally, is unable to safeguard a minority group, it is a promise of America to extend a hand and provide a pathway. The American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank, echoed this sentiment in a recent commentary. It suggested that the Trump administration should consider offering asylum to Canadian Jews who, according to U.S. law, have a credible fear of persecution based on their faith or ethnicity. Montreal-based cardiac surgeon Emmanuel Moss recently decided to leave Canada for Atlanta, citing concerns over provincial healthcare funding and an inadequate response to rising antisemitism. His departure underscores the broader trend of Jewish Canadians seeking safer environments abroad. As discussions continue, the focus remains on addressing the growing concerns within the Jewish community in Canada and exploring potential solutions that could ensure their safety and well-being.