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.
The Guardian – Tamils to be Deported Despite Clear Torture Evidence
The UK is to go ahead with a mass removal of Tamils to Sri Lanka next week despite mounting evidence from human rights group that many of them could be tortured on their return. At least two and possibly three chartered flights are scheduled to leave the UK from Wednesday carrying an unknown number of Sri Lankan Tamils whose pleas to remain in the UK have been refused. […] The Home Office says it only removes people who face no risk of torture, but Freedom from Torture and Human Rights Watch both argue that the government has severely underestimated this possibility when it comes to returned Tamils, many of whom are routinely arrested and questioned about links with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and activities in the UK, with torture often playing a part.
Ottawa Citizen – Children of Immigrants Only Behind in Reading at Start of School, University of Ottawa Researcher Finds
Children of immigrants are as well-prepared for the start of schooling as the children of native-born Canadians in almost all areas except for reading, a new four-country study has found. The researchers behind the study, including a labour economist at the University of Ottawa, say the results are a contrast with the later achievement results of immigrant teenagers, and suggest the need for a closer look at how school systems are meeting the needs of immigrant students.
The Guardian – Foreign Students: Losing a Battle, Perhaps Winning a War
No British government ever wishes to be seen as soft on immigration. […] This basic – and base – political calculation provides the background explanation for – even if it does not excuse – the coalition government’s general determination to slash student visa numbers and its specific preference for a zero tolerance approach towards the 2,700 overseas students caught by last month’s sudden ban on the teaching of non-EU foreign students by London Metropolitan University. The callous treatment of those students is a disgrace both to the government and, more worryingly, to Britain’s wider reputation as a world-class university destination.
Calgary Herald – Two University of Regina Students Fear Deportation for Working at Walmart
Both in Canada on full scholarships paid for by their government, Ordu and Amadi went to Service Canada and got their Social Insurance Numbers when they arrived in 2010, ending up working at the university. Last year, Amadi found a part-time job at Walmart and Ordu at an agency that does demonstrations at the store. Both were under the misapprehension their SINs allowed them to work outside the U of R. Ordu quit after two weeks, as soon as she found out that wasn’t the case. Amadi discovered her mistake during her second week on the job — and was led away from her till in handcuffs by two CBSA agents.
Straight – Conservative Immigration Policies Attacked at Indo Canadian Workers’ Association Forum
Speakers at a forum organized by the Indo Canadian Workers’ Association have overwhelmingly rejected the Conservative government’s immigration policies. […] ICWA organizer Kulwant Dhesi told the forum the government is “making excuses” by accusing the South Asian community of indulging in immigration fraud. “Only a small percentage of people do illegal things,” Dhesi stated. “Why is the government punishing everyone in our community for this?” […] Most speakers at the forum criticized delays in family reunification, tightening of visa rules, the new citizenship test, and the lack of recognition of foreign credentials.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada News Release – Canada Imposes Visas on St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Namibia, Botswana, and Swaziland
These changes will allow Citizenship and Immigration Canada and its partners to ensure that those seeking to visit Canada intend to return to their country of origin, rather than overstaying or committing other immigration violations. A key reason why the government has imposed visa requirements on St. Lucia and St. Vincent is unreliable travel documents. In particular, criminals from these countries can legally change their names and acquire new passports. In some instances, people who were removed from Canada as security risks later returned using different passports. In the case of Namibia, Botswana and Swaziland, human trafficking, especially of minors, and fraudulent documents are of significant concern.
