Securitization and criminalization: an analysis of the Temporary Resident Biometrics Program (TRBP)

The implementation of the Temporary Resident Biometrics Program (TRBP) in Canada and its purpose to enhance national security raises many questions. Through the collection of individuals’ unique biological data, certain foreign nationals are classified as potential threats.

Using legislative texts, this qualitative study examines the objectives and implications of the program. Through government discourses, the TRBP identified as part of a securitization move constructs immigrants and refugees as “criminals”, leading to exclusionary immigration legislation. While questioning whether or not the use of biometrics in Canada serves a legitimate national purpose in immigration policy, this study reveals the unjustifiable discriminatory implications of adopting a securitization strategy that is part of a global trend.

Key words: Securitization, biometrics, criminalization, Temporary Resident Biometrics Program