california law: That was a violation of California law, which criminalizes having sex with anyone under 18 if the age difference is more than three years, according to Metro News. Federal officials later moved to deport him, but Esquivel-Quintana says his conduct would have been legal under federal law and the laws of 43 other states that are less strict. The case before the justices on Monday involved Juan Esquivel-Quintana, a lawful permanent resident who had sex with his 16-year-old girlfriend when he was 20 and 21 years old. The case comes at a time when the Trump administration has pledged to step up enforcement of the nation's immigration laws, including its ability to deport people who commit crimes. Several justices seemed reluctant during arguments in the case to defer to the government when it comes to criminal enforcement. At issue is what happens when immigration laws are unclear and whether courts should defer to immigration officials in interpreting criminal laws that are vague. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

case returns: It's a complete 180, said Danielle Lang of the Washington-based Campaign Legal Center, according to The Chronicle Herald. We can't make heads or tails of any factual reason for the change. It's a dramatic break from the agency's position under President Barack Obama, which spent years arguing that the voter ID law passed in 2011 by Texas' Republican-controlled Legislature was intended to disenfranchise poor and minority voters. There has been no new evidence that's come to light. Voting rights activists sued, and the case returns to court Tuesday in Corpus Christi, Texas, before U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos. The law requires voters to show one of seven forms of state-approved photo identification gun permits are acceptable but college IDs are not. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

centuries-long tradition: He is omnipresent on social media but lives as a political phantom under police protection, rarely campaigning in person and reportedly sleeping in a different location every night, according to Hamilton Spectator. He has structured his party so that he is the only official, giving him the liberty to remain, above all things, in complete control, and a provocateur and uncompromising verbal bomb thrower. He is partly of Indonesian heritage, and dyes his hair bright blond. Geert Wilders, far-right icon, is one of Europe's unusual politicians, not least because he comes from the Netherlands, one of Europe's most socially liberal countries, with a centuries-long tradition of promoting religious tolerance and welcoming immigrants. Wilders pronounced VIL-ders has promised to demand a Nexit referendum on whether the Netherlands should follow Britain's example and leave the union. How he and his party fare in the March 15 elections could well signal how the far right will do in pivotal elections in France, Germany and possibly Italy later this year, and ultimately determine the future of the European Union. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

children struggle: Vancouver is growing and becoming more international, and we should be welcoming to this plurality, said Baenninger, according to CBC. And part of that is allowing for bilingual education as the Charter of Rights and Freedoms is supposed to allow for. Baenninger grew up in Geneva and later studied political science at McGill, where he learned about Pierre Trudeau's push for a multicultural society, including making French education available across Canada. But Baenninger says his children struggle with the language, especially in a minority setting. So he was shocked to find out late last month that the francophone school board is evicting the preschools and daycares from the grounds of two of its schools to make more space for students by September. Their difficulties persist even though the children attend francophone schools and despite being spoken to at home in French. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

comparison figures: It was compiled by the Interior Ministry with information from Germany's 16 states in response to a question in Parliament by the Left party, according to Hamilton Spectator. There was a very wide spectrum of crimes ... Every one is to be condemned, said Interior Ministry spokesperson Johannes Dimroth. Most of the attacks were crimes like vandalism to asylum-seeker homes including far-right graffiti, threats and slander but the report also included more serious attacks like arson, bodily harm and attempted murder. The attacks led to 560 people being injured, including 43 children. Comparison figures for previous years haven't been compiled but Dimroth said after 2016 the trend is downward ... which gives us a little bit of hope. Overall, 2,343 suspects were identified and investigated, according to the new report. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

anti-semitic threats: His failure to lead has helped members of the alt-right expand their reach, according to The Waterloo Record. On Tuesday, Trump finally spoke out, but only after nearly 200 gravestones were overturned at a Jewish cemetery near St. Louis Post-Dispatch President Donald Trump can no longer dodge and distract from the cold reality that his administration has granted a platform for white supremacists and anti-Semites to advance their twisted causes. Louis. The anti-Semitic threats targeting our Jewish community at community centres are horrible and are painful and a very sad reminder of the work that still must be done to root out hate and prejudice and evil, Trump stated. Nationwide, Jewish organizations are warning about a spike in bomb threats and harassment aimed at Jews. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

asylum seekers: For now, Ottawa is monitoring the situation, but it's still too early to say whether even more asylum seekers will continue walking over Canada's doorstep, Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen said in an interview aired Sunday on CTV's Question Period, according to National Observer. We need to see what happens over the next little while to see if this is a trend, Hussen told CTV's Evan Solomon. Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister has expressed worries that those numbers could rise further as the weather becomes warmer, and has called on Ottawa to provide more help in dealing with the influx. We can't really determine that this is a trend moving forward. Fewer than a dozen were found this weekend, according to Emerson-Franklin Reeve Greg Janzen, although he suspected the drop might have to do with a plunge in the mercury. Over 20 people were intercepted while crossing the border illegally near Emerson, Man., over the weekend two weeks ago. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

blasts complacency: For centuries, we humans have wondered if there were living creatures near one of those sparkling stars we see on a clear night, according to The Waterloo Record. And for just as long, we have wondered if instead we are alone, if our planet is a cosmic aberration where life arose in a way never to be replicated in the rest of a dead, or at best non-living, universe. But it's probably in everyone's best interest that, for the time being at least, we have no way of getting there. But like a bolt of lightening that blasts complacency, there came last week's tantalizing news that a team of international astronomers had discovered a dim, red dwarf star being orbited by seven Earth-sized planets, three of which may hold life. To be sure, the distance is formidable and out of reach for any spaceship being built today. That this solar system named TRAPPIST-1 lies in the constellation Aquarius a mere 39 million light years away made the discovery even more breathtaking. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

demar derozan: We still don't know most of the plays, according to The Chronicle Herald. We're just out there playing for the most part, said P.J. Tucker, who along with Ibaka was acquired before last Thursday's trade deadline. DeMar DeRozan scored 33 points, and newcomer Serge Ibaka had 18 points and 10 rebounds as the Raptors beat the Portland Trail Blazers 112-106 for their third straight victory. Jonas Valanciunas added 15 points and seven boards for Toronto 35-24 while Cory Joseph, who started at point guard in place of an injured Lowry, finished with 14 points and six assists and Delon Wright chipped in with 11 points. The revamped Raptors, who went into the night in fourth in the Eastern Conference, are trying to make a push back into the top of the Eastern Conference. Damian Lillard led Portland 24-34 with 28 points. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

donald trump: First, it is not a flood, according to Toronto Star. Second, not all of those who claim to be refugees will necessarily be granted that status. Paul Chiasson / THE CANADIAN PRESS By Thomas Walkom National Affairs Columnist Mon., Feb. 27, 2017 The storyline detailing the flood of refugees crossing into Canada to escape Donald Trump should be kept in perspective. Third, it is not yet clear that all or even most are fleeing the new U.S. president. But the numbers remain small. The individual tales of those struggling through snow and frigid temperatures to find asylum in Canada are gripping. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

election rules: It's a dramatic break from the agency under former president Barack Obama, which spent years arguing that the 2011 voter ID law that Texas' Republican-controlled Legislature passed was intended to disenfranchise poor and minority voters, according to Toronto Star. It's a complete 180, said Danielle Lang of the Washington-based Campaign Legal Center. Pablo Martinez Monsivais / The Associated Press By David Saleh Rauf The Associated Press Mon., Feb. 27, 2017 AUSTIN, TEXAS The U.S. Justice Department said Monday it is abandoning its long-standing opposition to a key aspect of Texas' toughest-in-the-nation voter ID law, costing voting rights groups their most important ally and possibly encouraging other conservative states to toughen their own election rules with U.S. President Donald Trump in charge. We can't make heads or tails of any factual reason for the change. Read the latest news on U.S. President Donald Trump The law requires voters to show one of seven forms of state-approved photo identification gun permits are acceptable but college IDs are not. There has been no new evidence that's come to light. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

emergency officials: From February 22 to February 27, 2017, rcmpmb intercepted 39 people illegally crossing the border near Emerson, MB. Total for 2017 is 143 rcmpmb The Canada Border Services Agency has set up a trailer near the U.S. border to help asylum seekers through the refugee claim process and relieve some of the strain on emergency officials in the border town of Emerson, Man., about 100 kilometres south of Winnipeg, according to CBC. More than 400 asylum seekers have walked into Manitoba in the past 10 months, many arriving under the cover of darkness in Emerson, where they've been helped by local emergency officials. RCMP said 143 asylum seekers have crossed on foot into Manitoba this year, including at least a dozen on Sunday and Monday. Read more about refugees and the Canada-U.S. border Expanded waiting room The size of groups of border-jumping asylum seekers has increased in recent weeks, and border officers have been running out of space to temporarily keep asylum seekers in their office in Emerson. Leif Larsen/CBC Our current office was being stretched, said Jeryn Peters, chief of operations with Canada Border Services Agency. Jeryn Peters, chief of operations with the Canada Border Services Agency, says the organization has set up a trailer at the border to hold asylum seekers during processing. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

event: The musical gala showcased a variety of established and up-and-coming artists from the African Nova Scotian community, including Owen Sound Lee, Sanctified Brothers, Maje, Lorraine Novelee Buchan, Universal Soul and Chudi Harris-Eze, according to The Chronicle Herald. Last year's event was so successful, we couldn't imagine not having one this year as well, says Alison Black, one of the organizers of the event. In partnership with the African Nova Scotian Music Association ANSMA TD Bank Group and the Halifax Public Libraries, the hall was electric for the event's second year. And yes, we are making plans for another evening of performances for next year! To open, Chudi Harris-Eze enthralled with his harmonies. Then Owen Sound Lee, on piano, performed a duet with Lorraine Novalee Buchan taking the dancing crowd into intermission. This was followed by Maje Michael Earle who is known for his award-winning song Head Held High, dedicated to Viola Desmond. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

history society: A precocious girl in the first grade raised her hand, according to Huffington Post Canada. She said to me, 'That's the month we have to feel bad about black people because they were slaves,' recalled Nikki Clarke, with the patience befitting a former teacher. Chris Wattie/Reuters Standing in front of an auditorium of mostly white faces, the president of the Ontario Black History Society asked a group of elementary students what they knew of Black History Month. If that's the way we're teaching black history, we're doing something wrong. But what about Canada Mathieu Da Costa, a renowned translator hired by Samuel de Champlain, was the first recorded black person in the country. Ask most Canadians about black history and they'll tell you about slavery in America, victories of the Civil Rights Movement and the giants who led it. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

leadership candidates: That embrace speaks to the worst of Canadian politics, right, centre or left, according to Globe and Mail. Playing politics with the Islamophobia motion in the House of Commons is as mean-spirited as it is self-destroying. What many of the present Conservative leadership candidates seem keen to do is embrace the territory of divisive, wedge politics and seek support of the minority of folks who, whether because of fear, anger or resentment, may live there. There is a risk, if Tories continue to play it badly, that they need not run candidates in most of the urban ridings they lost to the Liberals in 2015. The next election needs to be, both for Canada and for the Conservatives, one about economic choices, foreign and defence policy, reducing the gap between the richest and the poorest and the relevant policy choices Canadians have. Trifling with a motion opposing Islamophobia means keeping one's options open on the bigoted tactical option for the next election plain and simple. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

refugee targets: Both provinces are above the Canadian average of 8.6 for every 10,000, and both are managing the fastest population growth rates in the country according to Statistics Canada's 2016 census data, according to Globe and Mail. By contrast, the province most likely to opine that refugees would be welcome in their neighbourhoods, and among the most likely to say Canada should increase refugee targets is British Columbia. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizens Canada data, Saskatchewan accepts nearly 11 10.8 Syrian refugees for every 10,000 citizens in the provincial population, while Alberta accepts 9.2 for every 10,000. But B.C. is also taking in a lower relative share 5.7 refugees for every 10,000 than its western neighbours. Way east. If one agrees with the premise that there is a so-called moral high ground to be found on this issue, who can claim it The answer is to look east. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

status louis: Letters of support for Juan Carlos Hernandez Pacheco have poured in from West Frankfort's mayor, police chief, high school athletic director and the county prosecutor, according to Metro News. They describe Hernandez as a role model and praise his robust civic involvement, including funding school scholarships, benefit dinners for families in need and hosting a law enforcement appreciation event. A southern Illinois community that solidly backed President Donald Trump has rallied behind a Mexican restaurant manager who doesn't have legal permission to live in the U.S. and has been detained by immigration officials. Hernandez, 38, came to the U.S. in the 1990s but didn't obtain legal status, according to friends. Louis. He has been the manager of La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant for a decade in the community with coal mining roots, about 100 miles southeast of St. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

west frankfort: Trump, who easily won this mostly white southern Illinois county, is doing what he promised, they say, according to Hamilton Spectator. As Terry Chambers, a barber on Main Street, put it, the president simply wants to get rid of the bad eggs. Ask residents of this coal-mining crossroads about President Donald Trump's decision to crack down on unauthorized immigrants and most offer no protest. But then they took Carlos. Yes, he always greeted people warmly at the cheerfully decorated restaurant, known for its beef and chicken fajitas. Juan Carlos Hernandez Pacheco just Carlos to the people of West Frankfort has been the manager of La Fiesta, a Mexican restaurant in this city of 8,000, for a decade. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

campaign event: Caron said the location holds a special place in his heart it's where late New Democrat leader Jack Layton held a campaign event in 2011 the same year Caron became one of 59 MPs from Quebec elected as part of the NDP's so-called Orange Wave, according to National Observer. Caron who worked for the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada before launching a political career also unveiled his first campaign plank Monday a basic income program, an age-old concept aimed at reducing dependence on social programs. Caron, a former economist who hopes to position himself as a would-be leader with financial acumen, announced his plans alongside his wife and two children at a news conference at a log cabin in Gatineau, Que. Traditional economic plans of yesteryear that promised one thing and result in another is no longer acceptable, Caron said. He said plans to spend the week connecting with supporters in Ottawa, Montreal, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec City and his home town of Rimouski, Que. Our citizens are asking for more and frankly, they deserve not only better, but the best we can give them. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

case returns: It's a complete 180, said Danielle Lang of the Washington-based Campaign Legal Center, according to Brandon Sun. We can't make heads or tails of any factual reason for the change. It's a dramatic break from the agency's position under President Barack Obama, which spent years arguing that the voter ID law passed in 2011 by Texas' Republican-controlled Legislature was intended to disenfranchise poor and minority voters. There has been no new evidence that's come to light. Voting rights activists sued, and the case returns to court Tuesday in Corpus Christi, Texas, before U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos. The law requires voters to show one of seven forms of state-approved photo identification gun permits are acceptable but college IDs are not. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

december ontario: Last December, the Liberals made clear they would stick with the previous Conservative government's plan to reduce the annual increase in federal health care spending from six per cent tothree per cent in 2017-18, which provinces initially rejected before New Brunswick signed a separate agreement in late December, according to National Observer. Ontario, for example, asked for a 5.2 per cent annual increase. The five other provinces are holding out for higher increases in annual transfers. In all, the numbers revealed that Ottawa intended to provide 37.15 billion in health transfers for the year 2017-18, up from almost 36.1 billion in 2016-17. What better time, suggests Toronto family doctor and author Danielle Martin, for Canadians to reflect on their public health care system and ways to strengthen it. To top it off, a landmark lawsuit by a B.C. doctor advocating for more private health care may create an important precedent that could unravel the public health care system. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

demar derozan: We still don't know most of the plays, according to The Waterloo Record. We're just out there playing for the most part, said P.J. Tucker, who along with Ibaka was acquired before last Thursday's trade deadline. DeMar DeRozan scored 33 points, and newcomer Serge Ibaka had 18 points and 10 rebounds as the Raptors beat the Portland Trail Blazers 112-106 for their third straight victory. Jonas Valanciunas added 15 points and seven boards for Toronto 35-24 while Cory Joseph, who started at point guard in place of an injured Lowry, finished with 14 points and six assists and Delon Wright chipped in with 11 points. The revamped Raptors, who went into the night in fourth in the Eastern Conference, are trying to make a push back into the top of the Eastern Conference. Damian Lillard led Portland 24-34 with 28 points. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

trump sign: The brothers have previously visited the property, but this is their first public appearance in Vancouver since their father was sworn in as president Jan. 20, according to Vancouver Courier. The Trump sign in front of the 360-million property was under wraps until the week of the inauguration. Donald Junior, as well as his brother Eric, the two eldest of Trump's three sons, are executive vice-presidents of the Trump Organization and have a contract to run the operation of the hotel, owned by Holborn Properties, which is financed out of Malaysia. In December 2015, Mayor Gregor Robertson wrote to Joo Kim Tiah, CEO of the Holborn Group, asking the developer to drop Trump's name from the building, but that was unsuccessful. In a high-profile case this past weekend, customs officers at a Florida airport detained Muhammad Ali Jr., son of beloved boxer Muhammad Ali, and his mother, Ali's second wife Khalilah Camacho-Ali. Trump's election campaign included a promise to ban Muslims from entering the U.S. Since he came into power, some of his policies have targeted refugees and immigrants. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

american life: Women could finally land jobs outside the secretarial pool but they shouldn't expect equality, according to The Waterloo Record. She'd say 'I'd sit with the men, train the men and then get paid less than the men,' recalled daughter, Dianna Flannery. Arriving in Detroit, their new home, Edna found a job with Great American Life and, though the company provided opportunities, she was also a victim of the times. Despite the unfair treatment, Edna's employer valued her sharp mind and she became the first female property and casualty insurance underwriter in the U.S. Son Tim Flannery, said his mother was recognized in the U.S. insurance industry for her expertise in marine underwriting and he remembered how she had won multiple awards for her pioneering work as a woman in what was most definitely a man's world back in the 1950s and 1960s When Tim was six years old, Dianna was born and Edna, by then in her mid-40s, thought it might be time to give up her career. Their intent was to convince Edna not to quit. Three executives descended on our house, he said, remembering the men in three piece suits arriving at the family home unannounced. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

canadian press: It's clear that conservatives at the Manning Centre conference were thinking about the political ramifications of the seismic political shift in the U.S. in recent months, according to The Waterloo Record. But does it matter what those particular conservatives think In the Populism Project, The Canadian Press is exploring the factors that led to Trump's victory, how it is changing politics in Canada and testing them against the current economic, social and political climate of Canada to see whether the potential exists for the same kind of political upheaval here. There was a panel devoted exclusively to the topic of whether Trumpism could be exported to Canada, and more than one other session made mention of the Trump effect. Held in Ottawa every year, the Manning Conference attracts a particular swath of the conservative movement the self-described policy and politics junkies eager to chew on the issues of the day. Common folk don't come to events like this, he told a panel at the conference called Down with The Elites It's the so-called common folk understood to have propelled Trump to victory, not just in the general presidential election. Put another way, suggested Toronto politician Doug Ford, not exactly the average voter. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

canada: JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS By Jaime Watt Sun., Feb. 26, 2017 In many ways, it is surprising the Canadian d tente over immigration and identity issues has lasted this long, according to Toronto Star. While Canada has avoided the vitriolic debate that has roiled other developed countries, it is na ve to believe this unusual harmony will last. And, if polls are to believed, they are doing so with the popular support of Canadians. The number of immigrants admitted to Canada has steadily risen under successive governments, with little public dialogue beyond a tacit recognition that it was necessary for economic growth. Yet in many developed nations, debate about immigration and national values has overtaken the public agenda. Liberal and Conservative governments alike have limited changes in immigration policy to tinkering around the edges. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.