Asylum Claims Surge 579% in New Zealand, Critics Raise Concerns

Recent data shows Indian refugee claims in New Zealand surged 579% in just two years, from 172 in 2022-23 to 1,168 in 2023-24, with around half of them citing religious or political persecution—especially among Sikhs claiming fear of reprisal for pro-Khalistan sentiment. Critics argue many applicants lack proof, suggesting some are merely exploiting the asylum system to obtain legal residency. This echoes developments in Canada, where about 100K inside-Canada asylum applications were filed recently, and India-origin claimants soared by 500% at airports during the second quarter of 2024. Observers contend such moves are less about true religious or ideological issues, but a pragmatic tactic to secure permanent residency. Simultaneously, new demographic data from New Zealand revealed that ‘Singh’ remains the country’s top newborn surname for the seventh year in a row, followed closely by ‘Kaur,’ revealing the robust presence of the Sikh diaspora. Meanwhile, Panjabi is confirmed as one of the most prevalent non-official mother tongues in Canada, with 459,985 speakers, reflecting a parallel expansion of Panjabi communities in the country. Meanwhile, in Australia, a Panjabi couple recently received permanent residency after seventeen years of visa rejections, surviving a deportation notice and eventually succeeding through ministerial intervention. Parminder Singh arrived as a student in 2008, enduring repeated setbacks before winning approval for himself, his wife, and their Australian-born son. Collectively, these stories highlight a shared determination among the Panjabi diaspora to overcome legal barriers, respond to persecution, and establish new lives abroad, whether via asylum claims, skilled migration, or protracted legal battles. At the same time, critics in host nations warn that lax refugee policies risk being manipulated by those seeking a fast-track to permanent residency, raising questions about the balance between humane acceptance and preventing systemic abuse.