Posted on 11/04/2002 7:08:52 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer
TORONTO -- Federal Immigration officials have quietly banned Canadian citizens and permanent residents with a criminal record from sponsoring their spouses, children and other loved ones to Canada.
The ban has outraged Toronto immigration lawyers and social workers who said it will separate thousands of foreign families from joining their loved ones in Canada.
"This law will ruin the lives of many families," Toronto immigration lawyer Mendel Green said. "It is beyond draconian and contrary to the very principle of family reunification."
Green said people could be prohibited from sponsoring if they have convictions ranging from mischief, fraud, theft or even trespassing.
"Many families will suffer," he said, adding a large number of Americans working here will be affected. "Many people won't be able to bring their spouses here if they were born in another country."
Immigration spokesman Nancy Duarte said the law is part of a new Immigration and Refugee Protection Act that took effect last June. Lawyers said the ban wasn't discovered until recently because the act is so new.
Duarte said any Canadian or permanent resident convicted of a sex crime here or abroad, or for any Criminal Code offence against relatives here, is not allowed to sponsor their spouse, children, parents or same sex partner.
It also applies to those sponsoring common law wives, conjugal partners and Internet or mail-order brides."The bar is intended to protect immigrants from entering potentially abusive situations," she said.
"It is intended to protect them from harm."
Duarte said the ban won't be lifted until the potential sponsor obtains a pardon for the offence or can prove they've remained trouble-free for five years.
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