Citizenship and Immigration Canada officer targeted Toronto’s Spanish-speaking community

According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, a probe has been launched into a senior immigration officer who worked at the Dundas Street West Citizenship and Immigration Canada office. The Citizenship and Immigration Canada officer allegedly told applicants that we would approve their permanent residence applications if they paid him a bribe.

At least three people have come forward and said that they paid $2,000 to have their cases approved, and the accused actually approached applicants asking for bribes.

George Gonsalves Barriero is facing three charges of breach of trust and has been suspended.

Consult a lawyer to protect your Citizenship and Immigration application

If you’re looking to immigrate to Canada or settle in Toronto, don’t just walk away from anyone who says that they can guarantee approval if you pay more – run! It’s a shame when even Citizenship and Immigration Canada officials choose to be unethical and play games with applicants who want to immigrate to Canada and start a better life.

Last year, an Immigration and Refugee Board judge was charged with one count of breach of trust for offering a positive ruling for a refugee claimant in exchange for sex. A licensed Canadian immigration lawyer or consultant is a place to start in terms of vetting who can properly represent you. But you still should do your “home work” and make sure your representative can do the job but do it ethically.

President & CEO

Michael Niren

Mr. Niren is CEO of VisaPlace LLC and the President and Managing Partner of VisaPlace Legal Canada, an immigration law firm based in Toronto, and VisaPlace Legal US a law firm registered in The District of Columbia, USA. Mr. Niren is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association’s Citizenship and Immigration Section, American Lawyers Association, and an Associate Member of the American Bar Association.