OTTAWA: Canada’s Immigration Minister Sergio Marchi introduced Bill C-44 in the House of Communist last Friday making four ‘Significant changes to the Immigration Act. In announcing these tough mew changes Marchi observed that throughout the years immigrants have helped build our country… But Canadians will not tolerate those who abuse our generosity and violate our laws. Firstly the new Bill denies access 10-Vanous avenues of appeal and refugee determination procedures by serious criminals. The amendments contained in Bill C44 prohibit those convicted of serious crimes (punishable by a maximum term of claiming refugee Status order to delay their removal from Canada. In recent years a number of serious criminals have claimed refugee status in order to delay their removal from Canada. Secondly the Bill authorizes the Seizure by Immigration officers of identity or status documents which could be used to circumvent immigration requirements or provide evidence of past violations of the Immigration Act and which are sent by international mail or other international carrier.
‘Thirdly the new legislation removes from the Immigration Appeal Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board the authority to determine on humanitarian or compassionate grounds that seniors criminals under removal orders can live in Canada. Fourthly the Bill proposes a number of related amendments to improve the management of the immigration program. Bra Seta
The proposed legislation will cancel the right of appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division by permanent residents certified by the Minister of Citizenship and immigration and the Security General to be a security to climinated the opportunity for one person to have several refugee claims Processed at the Same time; stop the processing of an application for citizenship pending the outcome of any Immigration proceedings; stipulate that persons arc ineligible of an application for citizenship pending the outcome of any Immigration proceedings Stipulate that persons are ineligible as immigrants if they have two summary convictions (non Serious crimes punishable by imprisonment of six months ) regardless of whether one or both occur in Canada or abroad; and improve the cost effectiveness of the Immigration Program by for example climinating the need for new immigration inquiries for people who have already been required to leave Canada and ensuring loss of permanent residence Upon removal from Canada
The Minister also announced that guidelines are being established for a national approach to inter venations by immigrations officials in refugee hear sing and will be implemented on a consistent basis across Canada
These guidelines will be based on the principle that interventions should not seek to test the credibility of a claim. The interventions Will cases of persons who should be excluded from protection as refugees by reasons of Criminality. According to the Minister’s statement fraud and Smuggling will be systematically addressed: Pull implementation of this policy is expected by September of this year
Article extracted from this publication >> June 24, 1994
