an alliance of university, community, and government partners dedicated to fostering welcoming communities and promoting the integration of immigrants and minorities across Canada
The Media Roundup provides links to recent and archived articles, in both English and French, on immigration and diversity appearing in the national and local news. Some international content is also included. Articles are updated weekly.
Al Jazeera English – The Plight of Migrant Workers in Saudi Arabia
Sri Lanka has recalled its ambassador to Saudi Arabia after the execution of Rizana Nafeek over the death of an infant in her care in 2005. […] “Every government really has to take responsibility for what it can do to better protect these workers who are at high risk of abuse. There is a new convention adopted in 2011 on domestic workers – neither Saudi Arabia, nor Sri Lanka has adopted it. They should take action to do that. What I hope is that people can – while mourning the case of Rizana Nafeek and her tragic fate – really look at the broader situation of domestic workers and the many reforms that have to take place in recruitment, in training, in labour laws, in immigration sponsorship laws to really make sure that tragedies like this don’t happen again.” – Nisha Varia, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch
Guardian – Obama to Push for Comprehensive Immigration Reform Early in Term
President Barack Obama is set to push for a comprehensive immigration bill as part of an overhaul of the system despite calls from some Republicans for a piecemeal approach, it was reported Saturday. The New York Times cited White House officials in suggesting the president will lay out concrete plans for reform of the immigration process in the coming weeks, potentially during his State of the Union address on 12 February.
CICS News – Visitors and Students to Canada From India Booming According to Immigration Department
The number of visitor visas the Canadian government issues in India’s Punjab region has increased by 300 percent from 2005 levels according to Citizenship and Immigration Canada. CIC says that approximately 17,608 visitor visas were issued in 2012 by its Chandigarh office, which serves the Punjab region. The growth in the number of Indian visitors to Canada has corresponded with the rapid growth of India’s economy and the emergence of an increasingly sizeable Indian middle class with the disposable income to travel abroad.
The Link – Kenney Tells Punjab Media Peaceful Khalistan Protests Will not Lead to Deportations
Members of Sikh community in Canada raising their voice peacefully for separatist ‘Khalistan’ state in India, will not be asked to leave the country, Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney told the media at a press conference in holy city of Amritsar. “Members of Sikh community could raise their voice peacefully while living in Canada as there is nothing wrong in it since they are doing within the law frame,” Jason Kenney said while addressing press conference. “The Canadian government would not review their immigration status or disturb their residency status since they are not disturbing the law and order,” he said.
The New York Times – After Immigration Arrests, Online Outcry and Release
Ms. Arreola had been stopped by the police in nearby Mesa last year and detained for driving without a license. Her fingerprints were sent to federal immigration officials as part of a controversial program called Secure Communities, which the Obama administration has been trying to expand nationwide. […] After being seized on Thursday, she could have been sent back to Mexico in a matter of hours, but Obama administration officials moved quickly to undo the arrests. Officials had been pressured by the robust response from advocates — through phone calls, e-mails and online petitions, but primarily on Twitter.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada News Release – Canada Issues Record Number of Visas from Chandigarh
Canada’s Chandigarh office has issued a record number of visitor visas in 2012, Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney announced today. In 2012, Citizenship and Immigration Canada officials issued a record number of visitor visas in India’s Punjab region – approximately 17,608, almost three times more than were issued in 2005. As well, approximately 80% of visitor cases processed at missions in India in this year were finalized in five days or less, a major improvement over the 12-day processing time over the same period last year.
