CANADA TIGHTENS IMMIGRATION POINT SYSTEM TO CURB FRAUD
Immigration law
19 Dec
Canada seeks to
enhance security and protect public resources by preventing the entry of
individuals who may pose potential risks. Marc Miller, Canada’s Minister of
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, unveiled major reforms to the country’s
immigration system.
These changes
are meant to make the immigration process fairer, safer, and more efficient
while tackling issues at the U.S. border. Marc Miller also dropped a
not-so-subtle hint about scrapping points for LMIA-based job offers in the
Express Entry system - because who needs the paperwork drama, anyway?
Employers in
Canada can hire foreign workers through the temporary foreign worker program,
but they usually have to show they couldn’t find a Canadian worker for the job.
To prove this, they need a government document called a Labour Market Impact
Assessment (LMIA).
Temporary
foreign workers applying for permanent residency in Canada will no longer get
extra points for having a job offer backed by a Labour Market Impact Assessment
(LMIA).
The minister
explained at a press conference that this change aims to reduce fraud in
Canada’s Express Entry System, an online platform for managing skilled
immigration programs.
This change aims
to discourage candidates from buying LMIAs, promoting fairness and integrity in
the system. It appears to be part of the federal government’s broader effort to
limit immigration amid rising unemployment and a housing crisis. The
announcement coincided with Statistics Canada reporting the slowest quarterly
population growth since early 2022.
To strengthen
the integrity of Canada’s immigration system, the government has proposed
changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. These amendments would
give IRCC more power to:
>> Cancel,
suspend, or adjust immigration documents, like visas, in cases of fraud or
security threats.
>> Pause
or stop accepting applications in situations of public concern, such as
large-scale fraud attempts.
These measures
aim to better protect Canada’s borders and public resources by preventing
individuals who may pose risks from entering. Once these measures are in place,
they’ll play a key role in keeping Canada a top choice for those seeking a
better life, while ensuring the immigration system stays as smooth as a maple
syrup pour.
Under the Safe
Third Country Agreement (STCA), asylum seekers must apply for refugee status in
the first safe country they enter, whether it’s Canada or the United States.
The STCA was expanded in March 2023 to cover the entire land border, including
internal waterways like the Great Lakes, leading to a significant decrease in
irregular crossings.
To further
enhance border security and mitigate risks, the Canadian government is
collaborating closely with the United States to:
>> Improve
information-sharing systems
>> Strengthen electronic travel authorization (eTA) vetting
>> Propose
a North American Joint Strike Force to target transnational organized crime
Additionally,
the Canadian government plans to set up three regional hubs where federal,
provincial, and local law enforcement can team up to tackle organized crime and
illegal drugs-because, apparently, crime doesn't take a holiday!
RRM Law
Office can assist in various ways, particularly in
navigating the complexities of Canadian
immigration and border security regulations. RRM Law Office can
provide expert advice and legal representation for individuals navigating
Canada’s immigration system, ensuring they meet the necessary requirements,
avoid fraud, and comply with changes in immigration laws.