Our own Immigration Lawyer Michael Niren appeared on CTV News this week to discuss Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney’s suggestion that Canadian citizens who have dual citizenship could have their Canadian citizenship revoked if they participate in terrorist act.
This comes after a person with dual Canadian and Lebanese citizenship was confirmed to be involved in a bus bombing in Bulgaria last year.
A private member’s bill has been tabled that would allow Canada to revoke citizenship for those who engage in “acts of war” against Canada.
Immigration lawyer Michael Niren interviewed
According to our own immigration lawyer Michael Niren, such a law would create a very dangerous precedent.
“Generally speaking, we live in a democracy. And when someone gets their citizenship, they have a right to citizenship.
There are laws, where people are prosecuted if they commit criminal offenses. But should we go so far as to strip their citizenship? That could be a slippery slope.”
He went on to explain that there are already revocation laws in place for those who commit fraud or misrepresent themselves, while anyone who is charged with a criminal offense can be prosecuted under international law – the laws are already in place to deal with people who commit crimes or are terrorists, but once they qualify for their citizenship that is a fundamental right that they should be able to keep.
What do you think? Should Canada be able to revoke someone’s citizenship if they participate in a terrorist crime outside of Canada?
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.
