Child refugees get complete support

They come here without any parents or guardians and just carry clothes on their backs. Till now, the Newcomer Centre at the Peace Bridge has helped twenty-nine children who have filed refugee claims to live the country, most of who are from Afghanistan. Some of these children are illegal immigrants and some are students staying here on visa but who cannot go back home due to some trouble there.

As per the Canadian Law, if child refugees, who are generally called unaccompanied minors, are seen at the border then they must be accepted by the country as it is assumed that they are in need of protection.

Spokesperson for Nigeria’s Family and Children’s Services, Ann Godfrey, said that these lone children are basically provided the same rights to protection and care like any other children in Ontario.

It must be noted that these children cannot enter Canada until there is a representative for them. However, the children are never lonely as a large number of agencies are ready to help them.

Executive director with a centre which operates the Newcomer Centre, Martha Jason, said that there is a system in place among local agencies to help these children with basic needs like housing and school.

All refugee claimants including lone minors are then subjected to eligibility check for entering the country by Immigration Canada at the Peace Bridge. If age of a refugee is less than sixteen years and guardianship of the refugee cannot be confirmed by officials, FACS might take care of the refugee till the time complete details are available.