immigrantscanada.com

Independent topical source of current affairs, opinion and issues, featuring stories making news in Canada from immigrants, newcomers, minorities & ethnic communities' point of view and interests.

Francisco Rico-Martinez and Torontos FCJ Refugee Centre

Torontos FCJ Refugee Centre: It is still a Wild West, says Francisco Rico-Martinez, co-director of Torontos FCJ Refugee Centre. The ghosts still operate out there. People still fall victim to them, according to The Star. A few of these ghost consultants, who sometimes counsel clients to commit fraud, have been arrested and charged under the new laws, which provide for up to five years in jail and $100,000 in fines and Three years after Ottawa launched a new regulatory body to police the immigration consultant industry, critics say there are as many illegal ghost consultants as ever preying on would-be immigrants. Experts say that despite stiffer new penalties for those who operate without licences or oversight, unscrupulous consultants continue to take advantage of refugee claimants and immigration applicants struggling to navigate Canadas confusing and ever-changing system. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.