Canada immigration proposals increase domestic violence risk

Canada, 25th April: Recent Canada Immigration and Refugee Protection proposals might put women at a higher risk of domestic abuse.

The new rules have been proposed by Canada immigration minister Jason Kenney.

What are the proposed Canada immigration rules—As per the new changes, sponsor (who is a Canada citizen) and the sponsored partner (i.e. a foreign/immigrant wife or husband) will have to stay together in a relationship for a minimum period of two years after gaining Canada permanent residency to become a Canada citizen.

And if during that period, the sponsored partner moves out, she is likely to be deported, suggest the latest amendments proposed by Canada immigration minister Kenney.

Moreover, his or her Canada permanent residency status shall get revoked. He or she will not be entitled to gain Canada citizenship, the new changes proposed by the immigration minister suggest.

Proposed changes for curbing fake marriages in Canada--The new Canada immigration measures aim to curb foreigners using bogus marriages to sneak entry into Canada. This is, indeed, a right step towards curbing Canada immigration marriage fraud, admitted Scott Reid.

It will help in closing a big loophole in Canada immigration laws that can be easily exploited by unscrupulous foreigners, he maintained.

Immigrant women at higher risk of domestic violence--Proposals will have a direct effect on sponsored partners in a relationship (with their sponsor spouse) for a period of two or less years without any kids at the time of making application.

All sponsored immigrant spouses will be vulnerable to be threatened with higher probability of deportation, for two years, states Executive Director of Metropolitan Action Committee on Violence Against Women and Children (METRAC), Wendy Komiotis.

That’s because proposed rules require victims to provide a proof of the abuse as well as their genuineness of their married relationship before fleeing away due to violence.

A sponsor is at liberty to inform authorities at any point of time and state that the relationship has been fraudulent. Moreover, deportation fear has always been an obstacle to safety for immigrant women and the new ruling will affirm this risk.

Abused or suffering immigrant women as well as children will get punished by the proposed change for Canada Conditional Permanent Residence.

They will have to choose either a new life in Canada or their safety. Hence, Canada must find out some alternatives to bring down the risk to immigrant women and kids.