Immigration Lawyer in Canada Discusses Arrival of Syrian Refugees
Pictures of a three-year-old Syrian boy who drowned while his family made a dangerous journey to seek refuge shocked the world in September. Canadians were so moved by the images that many organized to help fund and foster Syrian refugee families, while the newly-elected Trudeau government pledged to aid and resettle more refugees. An immigration lawyer in Canada understands the importance of community support for refugee families.
Less than four months after Canada began its mission to resettle Syrian refugees en masse, the country has met its goal of resettling 25,000 refugees. Although the new Liberal government first wanted to resettle these refugees by the end of the year in 2015, the logistics were not feasible for such a short period of time. Instead, the revised timeline promised resettlement by the end of February 2016, a goal that was achieved as of March 1st.
At a time when certain other countries, particularly in Europe, are closing their borders to immigrants and refugees, it is important that Canada is setting an example to the rest of the world. A community outpouring of care and support is providing refugee families with stability and safety as they begin to build a new life in their Canadian homes.
Canadian immigration lawyers know that although the 25,000 goal has been met, there will be more to come as Canada resettles more individuals and families in the coming months. The task of finding jobs and additional support is only just beginning as the government plans to resettle a total of 35,000 to 50,000 Syrians by the end of 2016, of which 25,000 will be government-sponsored. The remaining spots will be filled by privately-sponsored refugees or those arriving through the blended system.
As many families settle in major cities such as Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal, there are challenges to be met including housing, education, health, and mental health care. Canadians prove to be thoughtful hosts and neighbors as communities have come together to collect necessities for surviving our harsh winters, such as heavy coats and boots, while also generously funding up to 10,000 individuals through private sponsorship to resettle families. It’s financial generosity like this that Canadian immigration lawyers say has helped keep the government under budget for this refugee initiative.
A single image moved Canada to welcome refugees fleeing their home in Syria. Canadians are now ready to support, befriend, and care for individuals and families as they resettle and heal during this difficult time.
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Arghavan Gerami
Arghavan Gerami is the Founder and Senior Counsel at Gerami Law Professional Corporation ('PC'), a full-service immigration law firm in Ottawa, Ontario. Since 2011, Ms. Gerami has focused her practice on immigration and refugee litigation. Prior to that, Ms. Gerami worked at the Ministry of Attorney General and the Department of Justice and had the privilege of serving the Honourable Mr. Justice M. Evans at the Federal Court of Appeal on immigration and administrative law appeals. Ms. Gerami contributes to the Immigration Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association, the Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Ms. Gerami has also published numerous journal articles and presented at various immigration and refugee law conferences and events across Canada.