Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke is calling on the federal government to fix Canada’s immigration and deportation laws after learning that all 14 suspects identified by B.C.’s Extortion Task Force are claiming refugee status to avoid deportation.
Locke issued a statement Thursday (Dec. 11) — the same day Surrey Police Service was investigating another overnight shooting at an autobody business believed to be extortion-related — saying she was “appalled” to learn the suspects are claiming refugee status “to evade deportation.”
“Surrey has been disproportionately impacted by these extortion attempts, and those responsible must face swift justice.” her statement said. “Law-abiding Canadians and foreign nationals in our city deserve better than to see our legal and immigration systems abused by criminals to extend their stay in Canada. “
Locke said the federal government must move to immediately fix Canada’s immigration and deportation laws “to protect our communities.”
“Guests in our country who break our laws need to be sent home,” she noted.
Locke added that Surrey is proud to welcome a broad diversity of Canadians who deserve to feel safe in their homes, their businesses, and their neighbourhoods, and concluded by saying the federal government must “step up and do their part to keep our residents safe from international thugs and criminals.”
There have been 106 reported extortion-related files, 44 extortion-related shootings and 76 “unique victims” related to extortion so far in Surrey alone in 2025, SPS said Thursday.
Peace Arch News has reached out to the Canada Border Services Agency as well as the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.