Stewart Sharma Harsanyi Immigration Law Firm Blog

Crime and Immigration support

Interesting article re: refugee/immigrant crime and a decrease in public support: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=74212318-01a0-4ccf-9bcd-8bb289883324 Read more →

Inadequate Security Screening

CSIS has indicated that 90% of approximately 20,000 immigrants from Pakistan/Afghanistan have been allowed to enter Canada without "proper screening". Article from the SUN chain found here. Excerpts Kathleen Harris' (blunt) article: Canada's stretched spy agency can evaluate only a fraction of immigrants coming from the fertile terrorist breeding grounds of Pakistan and Afghanistan, according to a top CSIS official. There are of course, repercussions for the improperly screened new comers beyond security: Western Premiers are already lobbying Washington and Ottawa to delay passport requirements for travellers crossing the border between Canada and the US - Link here. At present the US Senate is delaying or is decidedly lukewarm to the proposed legislation requiring passports from the House of Representatives. I wonder if the US Senate would continue its reticence given the disclosure by CSIS of lax security screening of individuals from 'fertile terrorist breeding grounds'. Read more →

Burma - International pariah...

BBC has reported that Burma's military rulers have extended the house arrest of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Ms Suu Kyi is the leader of the National League for Democracy - NLD - and has spent a decade under arrest. The pro-democracy leader has been held since May 2003, and has spent 10 of the last 16 years under house arrest. Despite an appeal by the UN, the ruling military junta has continued its intransigence against demoicratic forces. The NLD are planning to mark the 16th anniversary of their party's landslide election victory. Read more →

TRPs for victims...

Canada's Immigration Minister Monte Solberg announced a new policy within his Department which would allow the issuance of TRPs (Temporary Resident Permits) allowing victims of human trafficking to reside legally in Canada for 120 days and seek health care. Generally, such victims in the past were not afforded such consideration and were 'usually deported'. Reuters site here. Read more →

More Immigration Reform...

Prime Minister Harper announced additional reform of Canada's immigration system. Touching specifically on expediting citizenship for children adopted overseas, the PM stated: [Canadian families who adopt children from other countries go to] "great effort and expense" to do so and should be rewarded for their generosity. Unfortunately, the announcement does not address the serious problems, difficulty, and delay with adoptions from countries such as India. Read more →

Bail conditions for terrorist suspect largely unchanged

Federal Court Justice Noel has left bail conditions on Adil Charkaoui largely unchanged. Richard Blackwell has covered the case - which included representations by Alexandre Trudeau on Charkaoui's behalf in todays Globe and Mail. Read more →

CBA - National Immigration Conference

I am presently in Quebec City, in town for the CBA national immigration seminar. The stay - at the venerable Chateau Frontenac - has been slightly disappointing. More on that later, but clearly the hotel has seen better days. The city itself is a complete contrast to Calgary. The history of this place - especially here in the Latin Quarter is striking. The 'theme' of the conference is how to be a better immigration practitioner. I'm looking forward to the presenters and topics. Read more →