Family Immigration Application Limit Reached in 11 Minutes
New Application System Still Controversial Despite Shift to First-Come, First-Served Approach
On January 28, 2019, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canadaâs (IRCC) parent sponsorship program opened for applications, using the new first-come, first-served approach promised back in 2018. Within 11 minutes, Canadians had quickly filled up all of the 27,000 online application spots, filling the quota entirely.
11 minutes past noon, IRCC tweeted out that the interest to sponsor form was closed, as the annual limit had been reached. This announcement was greeted with frustration and complaints from would-be sponsors who had not even been able to make an application. Some would-be sponsors had taken time off work, cleared the schedules, and spent the morning camped out at their computer for a shot at bringing their family to Canada.
Unfortunately, not all sponsorship applicants were even able to fill out an application due to demand.
This new first-come, first-serve approach comes on the heels of frustration and criticism over the previous lottery system, which had an even lower cap of 17,000 applications. While many critics agreed the lottery system was unfair, and left too much up to chance, the announcement of this new approach was met with some apprehension.
While many Canadians rightly criticized the lottery systemâs random nature, immigration advocates (Gerami Law PC included) stressed that greater transparency was needed, and that the government would somehow have to demonstrate the exact time an individual submitted their expression of interest.
As the barely 11-minute window illustrates, our prediction that the first-come, first-served system might come down to the exact second seems to have come true.
For some hopeful sponsors, such as Cayo Whyte of Peterborough, the short time frame added further stress.
Speaking to CBC News, Whyte said, âI feel so disappointed, so heartbroken, so stressed out.â White had attempted to sponsor his motherâs immigration from Jamaica, but due to a disability, took a bit more time (a little over 3 minutes) to fill out the online form. With such a tight window for applications, itâs clear that the first-in system has its flaws.
Whyte had also attempted to sponsor his mother in the past, under the previous lottery system, and was unsuccessful in those attempts. Despite his residency in Canada since 2009, and his efforts to advance both his education and land a good job, Whyteâs still frustrated by the process.
âI am doing everything by the book but I cannot seem to make any headway in supporting my family in coming here,â said Whyte.
The system clearly has room for improvement, despite increases in its quota. The current 27,000 application limit will still only result in 20,500 new Canadians; the 6,500 difference is meant to account for duplicate applications and other errors. That 20,500 limit is up from 17,000 in 2018, which in turn was a huge increase over 2015âs 5,000-application cap.
While the federal government has made significant changes to this program, itâs clear that more work is needed to ensure all applicants get a fair chance at coming to Canada.
Growing Number of Unaccompanied Minors Entering Canada
Why There Are So Many Child Refugees and What Lies in Store for Them Upon Arriving in Canada
In search of a better future, or any future for that matter, child and teen refugees are fleeing their home countries, separating from their families, and making their way into the Canadian refugee system.
These countries are often chaotic, violent, and dealing with decades of never-ending conflict, threatening not only their basic human needs but also their lives.
These children have frequently witnessed atrocities or experienced them first-hand. Theyâre also at risk due to the dangers they face if they stay or are caught attempting to flee. In areas like the Congo, civilians are being murdered or displaced by the millions and children are being forced into slave labour, prostitution, and militia rebel groups. Itâs not hard to understand the immense urge to escape they must feel despite the risk of persecution and violence.
With no future in their home country, their need to escape outweighs the risk theyâre taking. But the challenges donât stop once they arrive in Canada.
Uncertain of their future, unaccompanied minors arriving in Canada must learn to adapt to their new environment while being away from their families. According to long-time refugee advocate Anne Woolger, this problem is relatively new.
"I don't remember seeing them back 30 years ago, period, [now] some of them are coming ... 15-, 16-, 17-year-olds by themselves with no parents," said Woolger, speaking to CBC News.
The number of unaccompanied minors (persons below the age of 18 without a parent or legal guardian) making refugee claims increased from 287 in 2016 to 492 in 2017, according to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. Some are lucky enough to arrive in Canada through sponsorship programs and support from private individuals or the government. This offers a wealth of support for finding housing, getting money for food, and help in adjusting to their new life in Canada.
Still, the system falls short when it comes to unannounced arrivals showing up at the border. In addition to the hardships many asylum seekers face at irregular border crossings, many of these minors wind up living on the street despite their country of origin and age, said Woolger.
"They were coming from the same country, with same stories of persecution, torture, really heartbreaking... [then] they were literally numbered among the homeless."
With a marginalized group being left in such a vulnerable state and facing potential dangers after having already experienced devastating hardships and being forced to leave their families and home country, Woolger founded the Matthew House in Toronto.
The home offers unaccompanied minors a fresh start in a new environment, helping them adjust and offering them support and encouragement. They are welcomed and given a fully-furnished room to stay in until theyâre ready to be on their own.
Lawyers are also available to help claimants develop a strategy and prepare for their refugee hearings. From mock trials to translation services, they are equipped with what they need for the best chances at a successful outcome.
Claimants receive guidance from âhouse parentsâ who are made up of a group of volunteers that sometimes live in the home. These volunteers are necessary resources for these refugees and help them make educated, informed decisions when it comes to their future in Canada. The goal is to get them confident enough to venture off on their own, receive higher education, and become contributing members of society.
"[What] we want to do is create a safe home, a safe place where they could have a deep sense of belonging and a deep sense of community and just kind of like a real family," said Woolger.
Quebec Pushes Against Federal Mandate, Slashes Immigration Rate
Quebec to Accept 10,000 Fewer Immigrants and Refugees in 2019 than Initially Forecast
Shortly after winning Quebecâs 2018 provincial election, Premier François Legault announced that the province would be reducing its immigration targets by 24 percent in 2019. The announcement drew criticism from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and members of the federal government, who expressed their disappointment at Legaultâs decision.
Prior to the election, Quebec was expected to welcome 53,300 newcomers. Following Legaultâs announcement, that number now sits at 40,000, with most of the cuts coming from qualified workers and economic immigrants, two demographics that lie under provincial control.
Family reunification numbers are being cut by 2,800 individuals, while totals for refugees and asylum seeker have been reduced by 2,450 people.
This comes on the heels of the federal governmentâs announcement of increased immigration rates. Federal Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen stated that this increased immigration rate would help ensure Canadaâs competitiveness in the global market.
According to Quebecâs Immigration, Diversity and Inclusion Minister Simon Jolin-Barette, though, the idea behind these cuts is to welcome fewer newcomers but do a better job helping them integrate, finding them steady work and ensuring they learn French.
This decision has been widely criticized by groups working with immigrants and refugees in Quebec. The Table de concentration des organismes au service des personnes rĂ©fugiĂ©es et immigrants described the cuts as âcruel.â Lida Ahgasi, co-president of the Table, stated that the decision is causing panic among numerous families meeting with the organization, and criticized the governmentâs approach as âcounterproductive.â
â[We] know that successful integration can only be accomplished within the family,â stated Aghasi. âIf we want to take care of newcomers, we especially have to respect and protect the integrity of their family unit.â
During the election campaign, Legault and his party, the Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ), pledged to reduce immigration, claiming that one in five immigrants to the province winds up leaving. Many saw its promises as decidedly anti-immigrant, especially as the CAQ wanted to protect Quebec identity and culture. Still, even with increased immigration in Canada, newcomers only make up about 1 percent of the countryâs population.
Quebec Liberals have criticized this number as inaccurate and claim that reducing immigration is a poor idea especially during a labour shortage in the province, a belief shared by Prime Minister Trudeau
âWhat I hear from business people across Quebec is that companies are worried about a labour shortage,â commented Trudeau. âIâm not sure that this is the best moment to reduce the intake of newcomers.â
Federal Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc shared similar sentiments.
âWe are not surprised,â said LeBlanc to reporters in Ottawa. âWe are disappointed, however, that the government, faced with a shortage of labour, has decided to reduce the number of immigrants.â
The Quebec government maintains that this reduction is a temporary situation but gave no indication when (or if) numbers would rise once more. Despite cutting immigration numbers, Quebec is still set to receive increased federal funding as part of the 1991 Canada-Quebec immigration deal. This funding was intended to help facilitate the integration of immigrants within the province.
While itâs true that immigration alone cannot solve labour woes, it nonetheless remains an integral part of the labour pool, helping prevent severe labour gaps in aging populations such as Canadaâs. Time will tell if Quebec will increase immigration numbers in the coming years.
6 Reasons to Hire an Immigration Lawyer
How Experienced Immigration and Refugee Lawyers Will Help You Navigate the Canadian Immigration System
Canadian immigration law is a complex and thorough subject that can be very challenging to comprehend self-represented. Thatâs where immigration and refugee lawyers come into play. They have the knowledge, expertise, and required training to help their clients through these intricate processes and provide them with the best options for building their future here in Canada.
While using an immigration lawyer will not expedite your application through the system, give it special attention, or guarantee its approval, it will undoubtedly benefit your application in six key aspects.
*Read More: Data Shows Immigration Lawyers Outperform Consultants and Get More Results for Refugees and Immigrants
1. The Knowledge and Expertise You Need for Your Case
Understanding the intricacies and details of Canadian immigration law can be extremely challenging. Itâs equally challenging to go through the extensive application process for these cases and anticipate the next steps. But with experienced, knowledgeable legal professionals on your side, youâll have the understanding to make informed choices to improve the likelihood your application will be approved.
Immigration and refugee lawyers have extensive education, training, and experience that not only helps them understand how these processes work, but how they can work within the system to ensure the best possible results for their clients.
With this experience comes the knowledge and skills required to avoid mistakes and possible adverse outcomes. They will also always keep you informed and set realistic expectations for your case.
2. Many Services Available to Help You
Professional immigration law firms offer a broad variety of services to clients. These firms serve families, students, employees and employers, refugee claimants, and individuals seeking employment and immigration to Canada.
The services available in most immigration and refugee law practices include:
- Business Services â Assistance with Intra-Company Transfers, Labour Market Impact Assessments, NAFTA Transfers, Business Visitor Visas, Provincial Nominations and Permanent Foreign Workers.
- Immigration Appeal â Frame and argue your immigration and refugee appeal with the help of legal representation that will strategize and articulate your arguments.
- Fighting Removals â Handling of urgent immigration matters immediately and effectively and representing clients competently and effectively in these stressful situations.
- Permanent Residency â Careful, complete, and professional representation of your documents and information, presenting you with the most suitable immigration solution.
- Temporary Residency â Professional legal advice on your temporary residency application for business visas, NAFTA work permits, study permits, super visas, visitor visas, and work permits.
- Citizenship Services â Legal representation for your citizenship application and appeal. Changes in the Federal Government has made this process more challenging; immigration lawyers will ensure you are firmly positioned to succeed in this process.
- Refugee Claims â Legal advice and representation through the refugee claim process, reparation for questioning at hearings, and effectively strategizing oral submissions on behalf of the client before the Refugee Protection Division Board Member.
Each service is specifically tailored to the needs of the client to offer efficient and effective solutions that will yield the best results.
3. A Time- and Cost-Effective Solution
Reputable firms have upfront costs at a fair rate and will never make a false or misleading promise. These firms work to manage the expectations of their clients, and their main priority is to provide clients with exceptional legal services that will achieve the best possible outcome.
Immigration lawyers also emphasize the importance of providing comprehensive documentation to their clients in a timely manner and working effectively to meet deadlines.
Working with a team of legal professionals, you wonât have to scramble or rush when filing your application. Youâll feel less stressed and anxious knowing a team of legal professionals are responsible for representing you and your file.
4. Thorough Explanation of All Your Options
Hiring a lawyer to help you navigate through the Canadian immigration system gives you the advantage of being able to decipher the rules and laws of the system and using that understanding to help you plan your strategy.
Lawyers will provide you with coherent, simplified information regarding your case. They will also make sure you understand the full scope of your situation, the various options available to you, and what the steps are to reach your desired outcome.
5. Effectively Handle Legal Requirements and Regulations
Not everyone can navigate the immigration application systemâs complexities, but reputable lawyers certainly can. Theyâre trained to fully comprehend the requirements and protocols for each process and are responsible for ensuring all documentation is present, truthful, and submitted correctly and on time.
6. Increase Your Chances for Success
Itâs no surprise that having experienced, talented, and dedicated professionals on your side will give you peace of mind that your case will be carefully handled with the utmost attention and detail. While there are no guarantees for approval, hiring an immigration lawyer will increase your chances of getting the desired outcome for your application for a visa to live and work in Canada.
Give yourself the best chance for success; contact an experienced team of Canadian immigration lawyers today.
Canadian Opinion Still Lukewarm on Migration
Survey Shows Canadians Not as Keen to Increase Immigration as the US
A recent survey conducted by Pew Research Center asked participants of 27 countries about their views on migration in and out of their countries. The results show that American citizens seem more open to increasing immigration than Canadians.
19 percent of Canadian respondents felt that immigration numbers should rise, compared to 24 percent of American respondents who felt the same. Spain had the highest percentage of respondents looking for an increase in immigration at 28 percent, following closely by the United States and Japan. While this paints a picture that Canada is not as welcoming, a closer look at the numbers and recent events reveals a desire for a more moderate approach.
The Angus Reid Institute conducted a poll of its own over the summer that revealed that 67 percent of respondents felt that Canada was in the midst of a refugee crisis. But according to the Pew survey, 53 percent of Canadians feel that immigration levels should remain âabout the same.â Whatâs more, during a recent visit to Ottawa this past November, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Volker Turk, stated outright that Canada was not experiencing a crisis.
While Canada may be lukewarm on migration at the moment, there is no cause for concern when compared to the responses of other nations. The central question of Pewâs survey was, âIn your opinion, should we allow more immigrants to move to our country, fewer immigrants, or about the same as we do now?â
A staggering 82 percent of Greek respondents answered âFewer/None,â with Hungary and Italy coming in at 72 percent and 71 percent, respectively. Thankfully, Canadian hostility to immigration was minimal; only 27 percent of respondents felt that we should accept fewer or no immigrants, second only to Japan.
Furthermore, last year the majority of Canadians did not consider the rising immigration rate to be a high-priority problem facing Canada today. The subjects that preceded immigration and refugees were the economy, interest rates, inflation and deficit, environmental issues and climate change, health care, weak government and leadership representation, social issues such as poverty and homelessness, and unemployment.
While these polls and surveys work to quantify complex issues, it should be noted that theyâre never completely representative of opinions. They may be useful to capture a snapshot of public opinion, but theyâre not the full story. Despite political rhetoric and (in some cases) misinformation, this Pew survey shows that most Canadians are content to stay the course on issues related to migration.