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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.
Los Angeles Times – Immigration Agents Sue Over New Deferred Deportation Program
A small group of immigration agents is suing the Obama administration, saying that the agents should not be required to implement a program to grant work permits and halt the deportation of some young illegal immigrants. The lawsuit alleges that the program, as well as directives issued last year that require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to use broader discretion in immigration cases, violates a 1996 federal law that requires federal agents to put into deportation proceedings those who entered the country unlawfully.
Ottawa Citizen – Newcomer Entrepreneurs to be Recognized by Award from City
The new Ottawa Immigrant Entrepreneur Awards will recognize excellence in five categories of entrepreneurship: youth (under 35 years old); women; innovation-oriented enterprises; social enterprises; and fast-growth enterprises. Anyone can nominate an entrepreneur, and each candidate will be evaluated for their track record of job creation, business mentorship and other contributions to the development of the region’s economy. […]The award was sparked by the work of the Ottawa Local Immigrant Partnership (OLIP), a collaborative network of local government, business and social services focused on the attraction, settlement and integration of newcomers.
Montreal Gazette – In Crisis, Greece Rounds Up Suspected Illegal Immigrants, Tries to Seal Border
Greece launched an aggressive campaign this month to try to seal its 200-kilometre northeastern border, as it faces a debilitating financial crisis that has caused a swell in joblessness and a surge in racist attacks against immigrants with dark skin. […] In Athens, the operation is being bolstered by mass roundups of suspected illegal immigrants. They are seen lined up on the streets of the capital every day, many in handcuffs, waiting to be put in detention until they can be deported. In the first week of the crackdown in early August, police said they apprehended nearly 7,000 people for identification checks; nearly 1,700 were slated for deportation.
Toronto Star – Ottawa Cuts to Refugee Health Care Almost Costs Man His Vision
Daniel Garcia Rodriguez would have permanently lost his vision from a chronic retinal detachment if it wasn’t for a Toronto surgeon who defied Ottawa’s order not to operate on the Aurora man’s eye. Garcia Rodriguez was almost certain to go blind, after Ottawa terminated the interim federal health coverage of the Colombian refugee and many others like him as of June 30. Repeated pleas by Dr. David Wong, an eye surgeon at St. Michael’s Hospital, for an exemption for Garcia Rodriguez had fallen on deaf ears at Citizenship and Immigration Canada. On Monday, out of desperation to save the man’s deteriorating vision, Wong went ahead with the surgery. The bulk of the $10,000 cost will be absorbed by his own practice and the fiscally-strapped hospital.
Globe and Mail – Inquiry Into PEI Immigration Program Closed Over Lack of Evidence
There is insufficient evidence to lay charges following an investigation into Prince Edward Island’s troubled immigration nominee program, the Canada Border Services Agency said Tuesday. The agency said it has concluded there wasn’t enough evidence to support charges under the federal Immigration and Refugee Protection Act after an investigator’s report was completed last November.
Globe and Mail – Canada’s New Immigration Rules Put Premium on Young People
New immigration rules will target workers aged 18 to 35 as the Conservative government provides the clearest sense yet of how Canada will rely on young immigrants to soften the fiscal pain of a demographic crunch. The federal regulations reveal a sweeping overhaul of the points system used by Canada for approving foreign worker applications. […] Under new rules that will take effect next year, workers aged 47 and over will receive no points for age, compared with 12 for those between 18 and 35, the most coveted age group under the Federal Skilled Worker Class of immigrants.
