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.
The Guardian – Chatbot that Overturned 160,000 Parking Fines now Helping Refugees Claim Asylum
The creator of a chatbot which overturned more than 160,000 parking fines and helped vulnerable people apply for emergency housing is now turning the bot to helping refugees claim asylum. The original DoNotPay, created by Stanford student Joshua Browder, describes itself as “the world’s first robot lawyer”, giving free legal aid to users through a simple-to-use chat interface. The chatbot, using Facebook Messenger, can now help refugees fill in an immigration application in the US and Canada. For those in the UK, it helps them apply for asylum support.
CBC – Cabinet to Map Out Scenarios for Dealing with Border-Crossers
Federal cabinet ministers are set for an in-depth discussion of the practical and political pressures being placed on the Liberal government by a rising number of asylum seekers in Canada. Border security, RCMP and immigration officials have been running scenarios to prepare for the possibility that a relative winter trickle of crossings into Canada could turn into a spring flood.
Toronto Star – Some Permanent Residents of Canada can be Barred from U.S. Under Trump Order
Permanent residents of Canada with citizenship from any of six Muslim-majority countries can be denied entry to the United States under the new version of U.S. President Donald Trump’s travel ban. […] The revised ban, signed by Trump on Monday, explicitly says that a “landed immigrant” from Canada needs to apply for a “waiver” that “may” be granted, on a “case-by-case basis,” at the discretion of a consular officer or another official from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
CBC – New Survey Finds Racism is “Alive and Well” in B.C.
A new study commissioned by Vancity found that 82 per cent of visible minorities in B.C. say they have experienced prejudice or some form of discrimination. The online survey — conducted by Insights West — questioned more than 1,200 British Columbians of different races and origins about their opinions on racism and discrimination. Of the visible minorities surveyed, 33 per cent reported they have felt that they have been a target of abuse because of their ethnic background. Eleven per cent said the experience of discrimination has been traumatic enough to make them consider moving to a new location.
BBC – Mexico Opens Legal Aid Centres to Fight US Deportations
Mexico has opened legal aid centres at consulates in 50 US cities, in a move designed to protect its citizens from tougher immigration enforcement. Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray reaffirmed concerns about the human rights of Mexicans in the US. But migrant defence centres would not “promote illegality,” he said.
CBC – Liberals Looking at Making Skilled Immigrant Loans Pilot Project Permanent
A pilot Conservative project to loan money to help skilled immigrants land jobs in their field could be revived as a permanent program under the Liberal government. One of the biggest barriers for newly arrived doctors, dentists, engineers and high-tech professionals is coming up with the cash to pay for the required licensing fees, exams and training upgrades.
