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Business Standard
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Canada's immigration system vulnerable to abuse? What IRCC report reveals
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has confirmed multiple cases of internal misconduct, including a bribery attempt involving the approval of study permits—raising concerns over the system's vulnerability to insider abuse. The findings were released last week in the department's annual misconduct report covering the 2023–2024 period. The IRCC, which processes millions of immigration applications each year, employs more than 11,000 staff across units handling study permits, work permits, permanent residency and refugee claims. According to the report, 62 out of 76 internal investigations led to confirmed misconduct. These included harassment, privacy breaches, and violations of the IRCC's code of conduct. Bribery attempt and insider threats In one case, a processing agent used an internal messaging tool to ask a colleague whether they would accept money to approve a study permit. The agent later claimed the message was sent by someone else using his laptop—a person to whom he allegedly owed money. The case has led to renewed scrutiny of internal controls at IRCC. 'Insider misconduct poses a serious threat to the fairness and integrity of Canada's immigration system, particularly within high-volume visa streams where oversight is inherently more challenging and the stakes for applicants are significant,' said Ketan Mukhija, senior partner at Burgeon Law. Conflict of interest and inappropriate conduct The report identified three employees in breach of IRCC's code of conduct. One was caught making disparaging remarks about clients from a specific country. Another officer developed a personal relationship with an asylum claimant staying at an IRCC-run hotel. The staff member gave the claimant advice on navigating the department, provided preferential treatment, and co-signed a car loan. This led to an unpaid suspension for conflict of interest. Marriage fraud flagged among applicants IRCC also recorded cases of marriage fraud—where applicants attempt to gain immigration benefits through fake relationships. Officers are trained to detect 'marriages of convenience', which are criminal offences under Canadian immigration law. Expert criticism of oversight during Trudeau years Darshan Maharaja, a Canada-based immigration analyst, said the problem has grown over several years, particularly after Covid-19 restrictions were lifted. 'Looking from the outside, it seems that during Prime Minister Trudeau's tenure, scrutiny and oversight of the visa applications and approvals became very lax. For example, a couple of years ago, there was the case of 700 Indian students who had come to Canada on study visas based on fake admission letters from Canadian colleges. Over the past five years, the integrity of the immigration system was allowed to deteriorate significantly. The internal misconduct by IRCC staff is, in my view, a result of this deterioration,' Maharaja told Business Standard. Maharaja added, 'Canada's current immigration system is highly vulnerable to abuse by both insiders as well as outsiders. Some of the measures that were introduced last year to strengthen the system, such as requiring study permit applicants to submit proof of having secured residential accommodation, are not foolproof.' Disciplinary actions taken IRCC said it had taken a range of actions against staff found guilty of misconduct. These included: Written reprimands Unpaid suspensions Terminations Revocation of security clearances The department said it would introduce training and awareness programmes to encourage ethical conduct among staff. 'The goal of this report is to build confidence in our accountability systems,' IRCC said. 'The department plays a critical role domestically and globally—from managing temporary entries to settling newcomers, granting citizenship, and issuing passports.' Immigration policy under review The release of the report comes as the Canadian government works to limit the number of new arrivals. Under its 2024 immigration plan, the federal government has announced cuts to international student and temporary worker numbers. Permanent resident admissions will be capped at under 1% of the population annually, with overall immigration levels expected to be brought to what the government calls 'sustainable levels' by 2027. While IRCC says it has already introduced safeguards such as digital monitoring, reliability screening and task rotation, experts say more targeted enforcement is needed. 'These measures must be strengthened particularly in the areas of digital access controls, real-time monitoring, and whistleblower protections to effectively prevent insider abuse and curb exploitation by organised immigration networks,' said Mukhija. 'I believe that the system needs a major overhaul in order to serve the best interests of Canada and the visa applicants,' said Maharaja. Canada on Wednesday released details of its proposed Strong Borders Act, a Bill that could reshape how the country handles temporary residents and asylum seekers. The legislation, if passed, would allow authorities to suspend or cancel immigration documents, introduce stricter rules on asylum eligibility, and improve information-sharing across government. The proposed changes are expected to affect a wide range of immigrants, including Indian nationals, who continue to represent a large share of Canada's temporary and permanent migration flows. As of January 1, 2025, Canada had around 3.02 million temporary residents—students, workers and others—accounting for 7.3% of the country's total population. India remains the top source of new permanent residents, and Indian nationals are also a notable presence among asylum seekers. Total asylum claims had reached a record high of 470,029 by April 1, 2025.
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Canada's Strong Borders Act: Tough new rules to hit visa holders, migrants
Canada on Wednesday released details of its proposed Strong Borders Act, a Bill that could reshape how the country handles temporary residents and asylum seekers. The legislation, if passed, would allow authorities to suspend or cancel immigration documents, introduce stricter rules on asylum eligibility, and improve information-sharing across government. The proposed changes are expected to affect a wide range of immigrants, including Indian nationals, who continue to represent a large share of Canada's temporary and permanent migration flows. As of January 1, 2025, Canada had around 3.02 million temporary residents—students, workers and others—accounting for 7.3% of the country's total population. India remains the top source of new permanent residents, and Indian nationals are also a notable presence among asylum seekers. Total asylum claims had reached a record high of 470,029 by April 1, 2025. What is the Strong Borders Act? Introduced by Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree on June 3, 2025, the Strong Borders Act is intended to address growing concerns over irregular border crossings, asylum backlogs and fraud within the immigration system. The Bill is structured around four key pillars: 1. Control over immigration documents 2. Domestic information sharing 3. Streamlined asylum claim processing 4. Protection of asylum system integrity Control over immigration documents The Bill proposes to give the Canadian government broad powers to cancel, suspend or modify immigration documents, such as visas, eTAs, and permits. These actions would be allowed when deemed to be in the "public interest". Examples of "public interest" include: Responding to national emergencies or health risks Preventing fraud in immigration programmes Addressing large-scale misuse of public services The decision to use these powers would lie with the Governor in Council (the Governor General acting on Cabinet advice). Changes to immigration documents would not automatically affect someone's status under existing laws. Streamlining information sharing To reduce duplication and administrative delays, the Act proposes easier data-sharing between Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and provincial or territorial partners. This would: • Allow direct transfer of applicant data • Enforce clear privacy rules and legal safeguards • Ban provincial governments from sharing this data internationally unless authorised Information-sharing agreements will include boundaries on how the data may be used. Reforming asylum processing The Act introduces several changes to speed up and simplify asylum decisions: • All asylum claims will follow a standardised process, whether made at the border or inland • Online systems will support claim submissions • Only individuals physically present in Canada may have their claims assessed • Inactive or withdrawn claims may be cleared out quickly • Children and vulnerable claimants will receive support through designated representatives IRB referrals will happen faster, and those choosing to leave will face quicker removals. New rules on asylum claim eligibility Two new conditions would limit when claims can be referred to the IRB: • Asylum seekers must apply within one year of entering Canada (post-June 24, 2020) • Irregular entrants must apply within 14 days of crossing into Canada Claims made after these timeframes would be ineligible but claimants may still file for a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA). Impact on Indian nationals While there is no specific breakdown by nationality for 2025, Indian nationals are known to be a major segment among temporary residents, especially students and workers. The new rules may bring: • Tighter scrutiny on visa extensions and new applications • Stricter timelines for those considering asylum claims • Changes to how their data is shared between governments The Bill awaits parliamentary approval. Once passed, asylum ineligibility rules would apply to all claims filed on or after June 3, 2025. Officials say implementation will involve close coordination with provinces and regular assessments to track the impact of the reforms. 'Asylum decisions should be timely and fair, and the system must have integrity,' said Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety. The government has said it will monitor the rollout to ensure vulnerable individuals are not left behind as the system changes.
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
GCMS Notes Request Advises Applicants to Secure GCMS and CBSA Notes After Canada's Judicial-Review Deadline Extended
GCMS Notes Request Advises Applicants to Secure GCMS and CBSA Notes After Canada's Judicial-Review Deadline Extended to 75 Days TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, June 18, 2025 / / -- Canada's Federal Court has expanded the filing window for immigration judicial reviews from 30 days to 75 days, giving refused visa, permit, and permanent-residence applicants more time to assemble evidence for their cases. GCMS Notes Request says the extra six weeks make it practical and strategic to obtain the full electronic records that immigration and border officers used when making the original decision. 'A judicial review isn't a fresh application; it's a challenge to how the decision was made,' a spokesperson explained. 'Having the officer's own words in the gcms notes or the inspection details in CBSA notes can reveal procedural errors, unmet evidence thresholds, or misinterpretations that a lawyer can cite in court.' GCMS notes from IRCC's Global Case Management System typically run 30 to 200 pages and include document checklists, background-screening logs, and officer comments. CBSA notes provide parallel insight for cases involving border examinations, enforcement actions, or entry refusals. Both records are available under Canada's Access to Information Act and, according to the company, can be obtained well within the new 75-day limit. Applicants facing tight timelines can order gcms notes from Canada or outside Canada in minutes through the GCMS Notes Request website. The platform delivers encrypted files by email and offers access to independent immigration professionals for complex file reviews. 'With more time on the clock, there's no reason to proceed without the complete record,' the spokesperson added. 'It's the quickest way to turn a generic refusal letter into actionable legal grounds.' About GCMS Notes Request GCMS Notes Request is a Canada-based platform that helps applicants worldwide obtain their GCMS notes from IRCC and CBSA. The service manages requests under the Access to Information Act, delivers encrypted files securely, and provides access to expert reviews from independent immigration professionals for complex files. Learn more at GCMS Notes Request is an independent service and is not affiliated with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), or any Government of Canada department. Obtaining GCMS notes does not guarantee a visa approval. Media Relations GCMS Notes Request email us here Visit us on social media: Instagram Facebook YouTube Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Canada uncovers bribery and misconduct cases within immigration system
Canada's immigration department has uncovered 62 cases of employee misconduct between 2023 and 2024, including a bribery attempt to approve a study permit. The findings were published in a report by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), which processes millions of immigration applications every year and employs more than 11,000 people. The IRCC report highlighted breaches involving bribery, harassment, privacy violations, and conflicts of interest. These incidents occurred in departments handling study permits, work permits, permanent residency, and refugee claims. The report was released as part of the government's commitment to transparency and to protect the integrity of the immigration process. In one case, a case processing agent used a work messaging platform to ask a colleague if they would accept money in exchange for approving a study permit. The employee later claimed someone else used their laptop to make the request. The case raised concerns about weaknesses in the system, especially as international students contribute significantly to Canada's economy. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thon Ba Nha: Unsold Furniture Liquidation 2024 (Prices May Surprise You) Unsold Furniture | Search Ads Learn More Undo The IRCC also found cases where staff violated the department's Code of Conduct. One employee spoke negatively about applicants from a specific country. Another built a personal relationship with an asylum claimant, gave them advice on how to interact with the department, and co-signed a car loan. This employee was suspended without pay. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Authorities also acknowledged the existence of marriage fraud cases involving individuals entering Canada through false marriages. 'Immigration officers know how to detect false marriages, and there are serious criminal charges,' said the report. Canada considers it a crime for foreign nationals to arrange a 'marriage of convenience' for immigration purposes. Live Events Disciplinary actions taken by IRCC included written warnings, unpaid suspensions, terminations, and revocation of security clearances. The department announced it will conduct training and awareness programs to promote high ethical standards across the immigration system. 'The objective of this report is to increase confidence in our systems of accountability,' the department stated. 'IRCC plays a key role both for Canada and internationally to facilitate the entry of temporary residents; manage the selection, settlement, and integration of newcomers; grant citizenship; and issue passports to citizens.' This report follows recent policy announcements by Prime Minister Mark Carney's government to reduce the intake of international students and temporary foreign workers. The government aims to bring immigration to 'sustainable levels' by 2027, while keeping the annual permanent resident intake below one percent of Canada's population.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Canada uncover case of bribery to approve study permit, ova 60 oda misconducts within dia immigration system
Di Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) say dem don uncover series of misconduct cases within dia department, wey include employee wey dey solicit bribes to approve study permits for Canada. IRCC bin release one misconduct report wey dem say go help dem achieve transparency and to put eye for di integrity of Canada immigration system. Di report find say some employees dey breach privacy by accessing sensitive files and di act dey against di code of conduct of Canada immigration department. According to di report, dem find 62 cases of misconduct out of 76 investigations and e include harassment and violations of IRCC Code of Conduct. Di IRCC na department wey dey responsible for processing millions of immigration applications annually, wit ova 11,000 employees. Also dis report wey cover from 2023 - 2024 dey affect department wey dey process applications for study permits, work permits, permanent residency, and refugee claims. Meanwhile, dis investigation dey come for time wen Canada dey cut numbers of international students, foreign workers and asylum seekers wey dey enta di kontri. Di report bin give categories of di kain misconduct wey di employees bin involve in. According to di IRCC investigation, one case processing agent bin ask anoda employee through dia work messaging application if dem go accept money in exchange to approve a study permit. Di processing agent bin quickly change di story say na anoda individual wey e dey owe money bin use im laptop to request di bribe. Dis don raise serious concerns about how vulnerable di Canada immigration system dey and becos say International students dey contribute billions to Canada economy, any tori of corruption for di study permit process fit affect plenti applicants wey dem catch. According to IRCC, dem find three employees wey breach dia code of conduct. Di case include employee wey dey speak negatively about clients from a specific kontri. Also, di investigation find say one employee bin form a social relationship wit an asylum claimant wey e meet for IRCC Asylum Hotel. E give am preferential treatment and tell am how to engage wit di Department, and co-sign on di claimant car loan. Dis dey against IRCC code of conduct and e cause conflict of interest- e chop suspension witout pay. Canada say dem also dey aware of some marriage fraud wey pipo wey dey apply to enta dia kontri dey engage in. "Immigration officers sabi how to detect false marriages, and e get serious criminal charges." Dem say na crime for foreign applicant to set up wetin dem know as "marriage of convenience" to allow spouse to immigrate to Canada. IRCC say some of di disciplinary measure wey IRCC bin take against dia own employee wey dey involved for dis misconduct include written reprimands, suspensions witout pay, terminations, and security status revocations. Canada government say dem dey committed to transparency, and dem go serve corrective measures so odas fit learn and grow from wahala of any wrongdoing. Dem go begin training and awareness campaigns, to actively create an environment wit strong ethical standards. Di Immigration department say dem want make dia immigration process dey safer, transparent and free from misconduct. "Di objective of dis report is to increase confidence for our systems of accountability, becos IRCC play a key role both for Canada and internationally to facilitate di entry of temporary residents; manage di selection, settlement, and integration of newcomers; grant citizenship; and issue passports to citizens." Meanwhile, dis dey come afta Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney and im Liberals party say e dey important to implement policies wey go address challenges wey di kontri dey face in terms of immigration. Although for 2024, Canada govment bin announce new immigration plan wey go reduce di number of international students and foreign workers, PM Carney say im govment dey take action to bring immigration to "sustainable levels" by 2027. Di plan na to reduce temporary residents wey include international students, foreign workers, amongst odas as well as keep permanent resident admission for less dan 1% of Canada population.
