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.
Times Colonist – Critics Slam Anti-Human Smuggling Laws
Critics are railing against the tougher refugee laws passed in the House of Commons last week, saying the reforms punish refugee claimants under the guise of cracking down on human smugglers. Some have accused Canada of mimicking Australia’s iron-fisted way of dealing with asylum-seekers, despite a parliamentary report in Australia slamming the current detention practices. […] the minister of citizenship and immigration or public safety can apply irregular arrival designation to any group of three or more people when human smuggling is suspected.
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Toronto Star – Immigrants Struggle to Find Their Voice in Progressive Sweden
Multicultural principles are ingrained in the school curriculum. Access to citizenship is relatively simple and open. Sweden also takes in a high number of immigrants and refugees compared to its larger European peers. But following the European trend, Sweden has elected far-right politicians. The anti-immigrant Sweden Democrats won their first seats in parliament in 2010. One of their campaign ads showed a horde of niqab-wearing women rushing past an elderly Swede using a walker to get at government benefits.
Landlords don’t want to rent them apartments, employers don’t want to give them jobs and people openly “treat them like garbage.” Why? Because they are Roma, claims Tibor Lukacs, founder of the United Roma of Hamilton. He said there has been a palpable shift in attitude in the past couple of years as a Hungarian Roma human trafficking ring case with Hamilton ties made headlines. […] He and other advocates say the government has exploited the case in a bid to push through an anti-Roma immigration and refugee agenda.
London Free Press – Immigration Bill Riddled with Snags
Making a refugee claim automatically places foreign nationals in the removals systems and should a refugee claimant withdraw their refugee claim in order to file an H&C [humanitarian and compassionate] application, they would likely be removed prior to any decision being made on the H&C. Although these applications will continue to be processed and an applicant may return should the application be approved later, not being in Canada any longer can be a negative factor. […] Immigration Minister Jason Kenney’s smuggler “deterrent” violates our international obligations as it treats refugees differently. Even accepted refugees will not be eligible for permanent residence or to bring family to Canada for five years.
Los Angeles Times – Illegal Immigrants Hail Policy Shift, but Caution Tempers Their Joy
While many cheered the Obama administration’s announcement Friday that a class of young illegal immigrants would be allowed to stay and apply for work permits, some saw it as the political gamesmanship of a president fighting for a second term. And some said it felt too soon to let down their guard.
The Tyee – Immigration and Refugee Services Suddenly Shut Down
The federal government shut down front desks and eliminated walk-in services in immigration and refugee offices across the country last week — a move that has left refugee claimants and advocates bewildered. […]Starting June 1, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) closed down 19 of its domestic offices — including the ones in Nanaimo, Prince George, Kelowna and Victoria, said a CIC website bulletin. It added the remaining offices will no longer assist many walk-ins in getting help accessing government services.
