Canada: Federal Immigration Officials

Sayed Shah Sharifi Dept: The Star has been asking the PMO to get involved ever since Immigration Minister Jason Kenney made a promise which turned out to be hollow that Afghan interpreters would be fast-tracked and get special consideration to relocate in Canada. Federal immigration officials vacillated about accepting most of the visa applications, saying the Afghans had to prove extraordinary and individualized risk and serious injury in order to be approved. That s hard to do when faced with such cruel and evasive enemies as the Taliban, according to The Star. The interpreters and cultural advisers often worked on the battlefield under fire for Canadians in Kandahar and other risky parts of Afghanistan. Most were highly praised for their efforts. One of the men whose visa request was turned down, Sayed Shah Sharifi, was described by his former boss, Capt. Alexander Duncan, as someone who would contribute greatly to Canada as a citizen. Although Sharifi worked the required 12 months for Canadians, immigration officials said there were credibility issues with his application and dismissed his claim that Taliban insurgents were threatening his life and more than 100 Afghans who put themselves in personal danger by working as interpreters for our military may be getting another chance to seek a new life in Canada. It took pressure from the public and the media, as well as direct intervention from the Prime Minister s Office. Finally. Only 97 out of the hundreds of applicants and their families had actually been allowed to move to Canada by the end of 2011. Now, after the PMO got involved, some restrictive criteria to verify personal danger have been set aside and other limitations relaxed. It should end major roadblocks for Afghan interpreters and advisers who are seeking to resettle in Canada. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.