Out of 3,800 Afghans who applied, only 900 of them accepted
Jenny Kwan, chair of the NDP caucus, called on Immigration Minister Sean Fraser to explain why the Afghans, whose credentials were verified by Canada’s military, have not had their applications to come to Canada approved.
Defence Chief General Wayne Eyre stated that around 3,800 Afghans, including interpreters, have had their identities checked and verified. However, only 900 of them have had their application accepted. This number is stark in comparison to the promise the Canadian government made last year to resettle 18,000 Afghans who had significant ties to the country.
Ms. Kwan is planning to pursue the issue vigorously, stating that
“when you are being hunted down and you are trying to hide from the Taliban, you can’t just walk into the office run by the Taliban and say, ‘Can you issue travel documents, issue passports for my entire family? The minute you do that, you are putting a red flag right on top of your head to be targeted.”
She aims to have Canada issue a one-time travel document to eligible applicants.
Meanwhile, Minister Fraser’s office says the department is planning to extend more invitations in the upcoming weeks.
Aidan Strickland, IRCC’s press secretary, said that after Global Affairs Canada and the Department of National Defence confirm an Afghan’s ties to Canada, their name is forwarded to IRCC. Then, the IRCC sends an email to the people on the list, inviting them to apply. Only those who receive the email are eligible to apply for the special program.
“We have already received applications for more than 14,905 Afghan refugees under the special immigration program for Afghans who assisted the Government of Canada and approved over 10,000 applications. IRCC continues to process applications as quickly as possible,” said Strickland. She also added how more than 6,200 Afghans already arrived through the special program.
