Mexico says asylum claims to Canada started dropping last month 91裸聊视频� a revelation that comes amid mounting pressure on Ottawa to reimpose visas for Mexican citizens.

Mexico91裸聊视频檚 foreign ministry says both countries are undertaking unspecified 91裸聊视频渏oint measures,91裸聊视频� which it credits for a decline in the number of claims filed in December.

But Immigration Minister Marc Miller says he hasn91裸聊视频檛 yet seen evidence of that decline, and is keeping mum on whether either country has changed its policies.

Asylum claims from Mexico have shot up in recent years, even as the rate of Mexican applicants who actually get refugee status remains well below that of other countries.

That91裸聊视频檚 partially the result of the government91裸聊视频檚 decision in 2016 to lift the visa requirement, making it easier for people from Mexico to make an asylum claim in Canada.

The Conservatives want the Liberals to reverse their repeal of the visa requirement, arguing the change has led to fraud, abuse and strain on the asylum system.

Mexico91裸聊视频檚 foreign ministry wrote in a statement late Thursday that it91裸聊视频檚 important to maintain the economic benefits of easier travel between both countries.

Miller echoed that point earlier this week, and said Monday that both countries are looking at options to lower the number of claims, adding that he is avoiding giving more detail to avoid exploitation.

Yet he did not confirm Thursday whether any policies have changed as a result of those diplomatic talks.

91裸聊视频淎ny action obviously can entail a reaction,91裸聊视频� Miller said. 91裸聊视频淥bviously, there is some measure of some sensitivity to it.91裸聊视频�

Miller added that 91裸聊视频淢exico is only one part of the story91裸聊视频� of irregular immigration, and he repeated that bad actors would exploit the system if Ottawa was fully transparent about what91裸聊视频檚 being discussed.

When asked if policies have led to any changes in the number of claims, Miller replied, 91裸聊视频淚 haven91裸聊视频檛 seen any yet.91裸聊视频�

The Biden administration has warned that human traffickers linked to Mexican cartels may be exploiting Canada91裸聊视频檚 visa-free regime in order to get people into the U.S.

Indeed, the shared northern border is becoming a political issue in both countries, said David MacNaughton, who served as Canada91裸聊视频檚 ambassador to Washington during Donald Trump91裸聊视频檚 first term as president.

The U.S.-Mexico border has long been a focal point for Trump, and likely will be as well for President Joe Biden as a rematch of their 2020 election battle takes shape.

But Republicans in Congress have in recent months made an effort to bring the U.S. border with Canada into the conversation about irregular migration.

91裸聊视频淚ncreasingly, we91裸聊视频檝e heard complaints about the northern border91裸聊视频� in the U.S., MacNaughton told a webinar hosted by the Canadian Global Affairs Institute.

91裸聊视频淭his isn91裸聊视频檛 just a Mexico issue 91裸聊视频� it is actually a reflection of, I think, what is an increasing sort of isolationism and protectionism in the United States.91裸聊视频�

Quebec Premier Fran莽ois Legault cited the rise in Mexican claimants in a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last week, warning that his province91裸聊视频檚 services for refugees are reaching a 91裸聊视频渂reaking point.91裸聊视频�

Mexico91裸聊视频檚 statement noted that Quebec in particular has benefited from the cultural, tourism and scientific exchanges.

The ministry says that Mexico and Canada are aligned on the need for 91裸聊视频渁 constructive approach and a comprehensive dialogue that considers all factors motivating91裸聊视频� irregular immigration.

91裸聊视频� With files from Laura Osman

Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press