The Media Roundup provides links to recent and archived articles, in both English and French, on immigration and diversity appearing in the national and local news. Some international content is also included. Articles are updated weekly.
Le Devoir – « États-Unis : le nombre d’immigrés clandestins au plus bas depuis 2004 »
Le nombre de sans-papiers aux États-Unis est tombé à 10,7 millions, soit au plus bas depuis l’année 2004, selon une étude de l’institut de recherches Pew basée sur des statistiques gouvernementales américaines de 2016. Cette baisse est attribuée à une chute du nombre de Mexicains entrant aux États-Unis. L’institut estime dans son étude publiée mardi que 12,2 millions de personnes en situation irrégulière se trouvaient aux États-Unis en 2007. Depuis ce pic, le nombre de clandestins a donc baissé de 1,5 million. La population clandestine venue d’Amérique centrale a pourtant augmenté de 375 000 entre 2007 et 2016.
Toronto Star – He Was the ‘World’s Oldest Rebel’: Anti-Poverty Activist Harry Leslie Smith Dies in Belleville at 95
Harry Leslie Smith, a tireless advocate for the downtrodden, has died. Smith, who split his time between England and Canada, was well into his 80s when he first rose in the public eye through his progressive writing, speaking engagements, social media posts and podcast, in which he railed against the likes of Donald Trump and championed social welfare and compassion. Smith had spent the final years of his life travelling the globe to bring attention to the worldwide refugee crisis.
Reuters – Separated by Travel Ban, Iranian Families Reunite at Border Library
Shirin Estahbanati, like many Iranian students in the United States, has a single-entry visa and can’t leave the country without risking that she won’t be allowed back in. And her parents, as Iranian citizens, are blocked by U.S. President Donald Trump’s travel ban. So Estahbanati and her family agreed to meet around 9 a.m. at the Haskell Free Library and Opera House, which through a historic anomaly straddles the U.S.-Canada border – and today has been thrust into an unlikely role as the site of emotional reunions between people separated by the administration’s immigration policies.
National Post – Legault Says Government Will Act Quickly on Religious Symbols in Civil Service
Addressing the legislature, Premier Francois Legault said Quebecers have had enough of the debate over secularism. “The wearing of religious symbols will be banned from state employees in positions of authority, including primary and secondary school teachers,” he said. “It’s a reasonable position. We will therefore be very firm, and we will move quickly.” The plan to restrict religious symbols such as hijabs and kippas has been denounced by some rights advocates, although a CROP poll published earlier this week found a majority of Quebecers were in favour.
Le Devoir – « L’Italie adopte la loi anti-migrants de Salvini »
L’Italie a adopté mercredi un décret-loi controversé durcissant sa politique d’immigration, voulu par Matteo Salvini, ministre de l’Intérieur et chef de la Ligue. Le texte durcit la politique italienne en matière d’immigration. Il remplace en particulier les permis de séjour humanitaires, actuellement octroyés à 25 % des demandeurs d’asile et d’une durée de deux ans, par divers autres permis, comme « protection spéciale », d’une durée d’un an, ou « catastrophe naturelle dans le pays d’origine », d’une durée de six mois, entre autres.
Global News – B.C. Mother Forced to Leave Ghana Without Adopted Son Due to Declining Health
Kim Moran, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, has been wheelchair-bound and unable to walk since late last week. The Abbotsford resident was hospitalized on Thursday in Accra, Ghana, where she has been living with her toddler since August while awaiting his Canadian immigration paperwork. Kim says she called the Global Affairs emergency line to plead for a temporary visa for her son. She was denied. According to Immigration Canada, the adoption process typically takes at most two years. The Morans began the process in 2016.
