Facing the Challenges of Immigration: Act Before It's Too Late
You don't have to be a hardened criminal to run into problems with your immigration status in Canada. Even a minor offense can have serious repercussions for permanent or temporary residents, including inadmissibility.
The term "double jeopardy" aptly illustrates this reality. Not only must a non-citizen serve their sentence if convicted of an offense, like anyone else, but they also risk deportation from Canada simply because they are an immigrant. In other words, it is no longer just the offense committed that is at issue, but also the fact of not being a Canadian citizen.
This means that people, sometimes arriving in Canada at a very young age, can be sent back to a country they know almost nothing about. In some cases, these people are perceived as "foreign criminals," even though they grew up here, sometimes victims of the failings of our society.
To avoid this kind of situation, it is important to act quickly. What should you do?
- Apply for Canadian citizenship as soon as you are eligible. This is the best way to protect yourself against the consequences of a conviction that could lead to deportation.
- If you are a social worker or caregiver to vulnerable people, encourage them to apply for citizenship as soon as they are eligible. This could be a crucial preventative measure.
- Consult an immigration professional at the first sign of legal complications. As a Regulated Immigration Consultant (RCIC), we can help you assess your options and support you every step of the way.
