Two sides to every Canada immigration story
All too often we hear in the media about how immigrants are taking away jobs from Canadians; how Refugees are entering Canada in droves and benefiting from Canada’s social systems; how it is so “easy to get into and stay in Canada”. Well the reality is that many of these so-called “illegal aliens” are major contributors to Canada, socially and economically. However, the immigration system often makes life unbearable for many talented individuals who frankly Canada could really use. Below is a real email about a real life story of someone who, in addition to dealing with the day-to-day challenges we all face , has to cope with what is often a callous and unjust immigration system.
“Mr. Niren
I am having a terrible time with Canada Immigration and now I am due to be deported. The date was set for my deportation but but 20 minutes later I received a call from an immigration agent at the CBSA and he told me that they made a mistake and my plane ticket is no longer valid. I have not received a call back from them yet. I have been in Canada for 20 years, worked, paid taxes in Montreal. After my Refugee claim was denied, I waited two years at the same apartment and never got the PRRA form. I now live in Ontario where I filed a Humanitarian and Compassionate application which has been in process for 2 years. I have two brothers living in Montreal and my father –all are legal in Canada. I do not want to go back to my home counrty, the Commonwealth of Dominica. I haven’t been there since I was 16 years old. I have nobody back home. What is your advice? I’ve even written to the Immigration Minister.”
At our office, this heartbreaking story plays out over and over again. All this person wants is a chance to live and work in Canada. Despite his lack of status, he has held down a job and paid his taxes. I guess this is too much to ask.
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.
