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.

nato forces: After all, a weak and corrupt Ukraine feeds perfectly into the Moscow narrative that Western interference only brings war and instability, according to Globe and Mail. Look at the nightmare in Ukraine, says the Russian media, and you'll see what happens when pro-Western stooges overthrow an elected government. The best way to diminish Russia's influence in the region is not by building up NATO forces, but by ensuring a stable and democratic Ukraine. Russian officials repeatedly point to the country's volatility its corruption, its civilian casualties and its economic troubles as an example of what happens when Western meddling goes too far. Right now, it is merely a harbinger of Western weakness and uncertainty. Like West Germany after the Second World War, Ukraine could serve as a symbol of a better way of life. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

need everything: New online swap shop to outfit Syrian refugees with what they need Everything was extra challenging, Alsaleh said of his time as a new arrival, according to CBC. Our refugee experiences have put us in a situation where we're so helpless in a native land and we had to find our way, use maps, applications to find our way, navigate new cities, use translate apps to talk to the people that we meet. Now, two years later as part of the non-profit coding group Peace Geeks, Alsaleh is on a team working on an app that helps refugees use their smartphones to survive and thrive in their new surroundings. Peace Geeks has already developed a widely-used app to help Syrian refugees navigate refugee camps in Jordan called Services Advisor. The goal for the coming app is to provide the same sort of information in a Canadian context. Syrian refugees get Peace Geek app to track services in camps That app was released in 2015 in collaboration with the UN and points the way to essentials like shelter, food, and medical assistance. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

port police: Los Angeles champions inclusiveness and tolerance, and welcomes everyone who seeks to realize their dreams and build their families here, regardless of national origin or immigration status, Garcetti's directive said, according to Metro News. Immigrants are the engine of the Los Angeles economy, with nearly two out of three residents foreign-born or children of immigrants, Garcetti said. An executive directive asks the fire chief and chiefs of the airport and port police to follow the Police Department's decades-old policy of not investigating individuals solely to determine their immigration status. The directive bars any city employee from co-operating with the enforcement of federal civil immigration laws or allowing use of city money or resources for such enforcement unless legally required to do so. Jails and police agencies around the U.S. have opted in recent years not to co-operate with immigration authorities, in some cases citing federal court rulings that immigrants cannot be held in those jails strictly because of their immigration status. Additionally, workers cannot give federal immigration agents special access to any city facility unless legally required to do so. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

pre-meditated act: In other words, the Arabs' fate was rightly sealed by their refusal to endorse an arrangement that was oh so fair and for which Zionists made such magnanimous compromises, according to Rabble. Sandwiched between these two bookends of Zionist narrative -- of Arab crime and deserved punishment -- are other notable myths, each of which has served to quell the guilty conscience of those who know, but cannot face, Israel's unconscionable history its ethnic cleansing of Palestine, a pre-meditated act of depopulation that chased 75 per cent of Palestinians from their homeland. It starts with the assertion that the Palestinians walked away from the negotiating table in 1948 and ends with the claim that if only they had accepted the plan they would no longer be stateless. Noted historian Ilan Pappe has documented this dark episode with an abundance of archival evidence. A creature of exceptional longevity, this strange fish belongs to a family of other red herrings -- figments of the imagination -- that have whirled for decades in public consciousness. For the apologists of Zionism, the Arab rejection of the Partition Plan has been a favourite rhetorical device a red herring. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

press briefing: I think part of the reason that the president has made illegal immigration and crackdown such a big deal is because of tragedies like this, he said, according to CTV. Henry Sanchez, 18, and Jose Montano, 17, were charged in the Thursday assault at Rockville High School. White House press secretary Sean Spicer, in response to a reporter's question at Tuesday's press briefing, called the crime shocking, disturbing, horrific. The Washington Post reports that Sanchez lived in Guatemala until he was 17. Sanchez was ordered to appear before an immigration judge, Bourke said, but that appearance has not been scheduled. Matthew Bourke, spokesman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said in a statement that a border patrol agent encountered Sanchez in Texas in August. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

rights advocates: Experts, human rights advocates and recently the government of Ontario have endorsed the collection of race-based data as a means of uncovering inequality and better understanding the needs of racialized groups, according to CBC. Racialized is a term used to describe people who identify as being part of a visible minority. As part of an investigation of race and racial discrimination at Canadian universities, CBC News discovered that most of the country's largest institutions have an incomplete picture of the racial diversity within their student populations, with more than 60 schools saying they don't collect the data. Ryerson University student Renee Vettivelu says she would have no problem indicating on a school survey how she identifies racially. She's Tamil-Canadian and says her parents helped to foster her appreciation for her culture through community events and Saturdays spent at Tamil school. CBC News Personally I wouldn't mind sharing my background and my identity, I'm quite comfortable with it, proud of it, said Renee Vettivelu, a second-year aerospace engineering student at Ryerson University in Toronto. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

robbie gramer: But Canadians may not want them, a new survey finds, according to Toronto Star. Nearly half of Canadians support increasing the deportation of people living in Canada illegally, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released Monday. Paul Chiasson / THE CANADIAN PRESS file photo By Robbie Gramer Foreign Policy Tues., March 21, 2017 Undocumented immigrants in the United States are fleeing to Canada. The same share said they supported sending migrants that crossed from the United States right back over the border, while just 36 percent said Canada should accept them and let them apply for refugee status. Article Continued Below Trump's anti-immigrant build-a-wall rhetoric helped launch him into the White House, but since getting there, he has faced significant political backlash and legal scrutiny over his policies. Read more Trump, tighter air travel rules behind surge of refugees at Canada-U.S. border, experts say The popular sentiment could pose a challenge to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who champions a pro-refugee and pro-immigration policy as a stark foil to U.S. President Donald Trump. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

theatre world: Before his fall from grace, the theatre mogul had produced hits including Ragtime, Kiss of the Spider Woman, The Phantom of the Opera, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, according to The Chronicle Herald. Sousatzka, which is some five years in the making, makes its world premiere in Toronto on Thursday ahead of a planned Broadway run later this year. Drabinsky's return to the theatre world comes nearly a decade after he was found guilty of two counts of fraud and sentenced to a five-year prison term for his role in manipulating expenses and a kickback scheme that cost Livent Inc. investors an estimated 500 million. With recent stories of asylum-seekers in Canada and abroad looming prominently in the headlines, the fictionalized tale seems particularly timely. All the characters and their stories resulted in a circumstance where refugees and exile became the predominant history of each of them, Drabinsky said in an interview. The musical is set in 1982 London, but flashes back to Warsaw before the Second World War and during the Nazi occupation, and to Soweto, a township in Johannesburg, South Africa, where deadly riots over education broke out in 1976. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

town others: Some were seen making the journey under the cover of night, hugging tight to a set of railway tracks to guide them into town, according to CTV. Others were spotted driving up to an old border crossing that once separated Minnesota and Manitoba in broad daylight and simply walking north up the road. Video obtained by CTV News shows 29 people walked into the province from neighbouring U.S. states on Saturday and Sunday in a series of groups. We see the numbers climbing, and I don't think that is going to slow down, Emerson-Franklin councillor Doug Johnston told CTV Winnipeg on Monday. While many expected the number of asylum seekers arriving in Manitoba would rise in step with the appearance of spring weather, the spike is proving larger than anticipated. The small border town with a population of less than 700 has been at the centre of the illegal border crossing surge. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

world cup: It will definitely be a nice moment but also a sad moment for me, Germany coach Joachim Loew said Tuesday, according to Hamilton Spectator. We have come a long way together, overcome many hurdles. The 31-year-old Germany striker, affectionately called Prince Poldi, has said he will end his international career following a friendly against England on Wednesday in Dortmund. We experienced many disappointments but also the greatest triumph that you can experience as a player or coach, the World Cup win in 2014. Podolski made his international debut ahead of the 2004 European Championship when he was 19. Only 1990 World Cup-winning captain Lothar Matthaeus and all-time top-scorer Miroslav Klose have made more appearances for Germany. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

executive order: In Texas, the elected Republican sheriff of conservative Williamson County said his jail didn't refuse four recent immigration detainer requests as claimed, according to Brandon Sun. The list was prompted by an executive order signed by Trump in January that called on the government to document which local jurisdictions aren't co-operating with federal efforts to find and deport immigrants in the country illegally. The pushback was not just from liberal local governments that are at odds with President Donald Trump over immigration crackdowns and his promise to deport bad dudes living in the United States illegally. The first list was released Monday, citing 206 examples of immigrants who were said to have been released from custody by local jails despite requests from federal agents. Many sanctuary cities choose to not honour the requests when immigrants complete their sentences and are released from jail. The requests, often called detainers, have taken on a greater role in the immigration debate under Trump, who strenuously opposes local policies that grant leniency to people in the country illegally. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

fsv frankfurt: His friends back home call him Lav, for short, according to Brandon Sun. In Germany, where he plays for FSV Frankfurt in the third division, his teammates call him Dante after the Brazilian who use to patrol the defence for Bayern Munich. And with any luck Wednesday, the London-born, North Vancouver-raised left fullback will be able to put Canadian international before it. Because no one can say La'Vere, Corbin-Ong said. The 25-year-old Corbin-Ong received his first national team call-up in advance of Canada's friendly Wednesday against Scotland in Edinburgh. And he also has curly hair read Afro and we kind of look similar. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

immigration overhaul: Statistics previously provided by the Immigration Department had revealed 2,464 were apprehended in 2016 at three unofficial crossing points in Quebec, Manitoba and B.C. Related Items Articles Too soon to put Canadian price tag on Trump's immigration overhaul, MPs told Of those stopped in 2017, 476 were arrested in January and 658 in February, an increase that prompted renewed attention from the Opposition on Tuesday, according to Brandon Sun. Canadians are tired of the Liberals inaction and denial. Figures provided by the federal government show that in the first two months of this year, the RCMP intercepted 1,134 people 677 were in Quebec, 161 in Manitoba, 291 in British Columbia and five in Saskatchewan. Where is the plan said Conservative public safety critic Tony Clement. We're watching it very carefully and doing the contingency planning based on a number of factors that may change in the weeks and months ahead to try as best we can to anticipate what may happen in the future and to be ready for it when it does arrive and if it does, he said. When will the Liberals finally take action and regain control of our borders Public Safety Minister Goodale said the RCMP and the Canada Border Services Agency have all the resources they need and all laws are being enforced. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

world cup: It will definitely be a nice moment but also a sad moment for me, Germany coach Joachim Loew said Tuesday, according to Brandon Sun. We have come a long way together, overcome many hurdles. The 31-year-old Germany striker, affectionately called Prince Poldi, has said he will end his international career following a friendly against England on Wednesday in Dortmund. We experienced many disappointments but also the greatest triumph that you can experience as a player or coach, the World Cup win in 2014. Podolski made his international debut ahead of the 2004 European Championship when he was 19. Only 1990 World Cup-winning captain Lothar Matthaeus and all-time top-scorer Miroslav Klose have made more appearances for Germany. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

canada: But instead of making progress down that road, Clark is about to fly home to the United Kingdom because, he says, of a glitch in his paperwork, according to CBC. And there's no guarantee the Harvey resident will be able to return to Canada. Matthew Clark has been trying to get a work permit and permanent resident status since he and his wife, Katherine, were married in 2015. Clark, a former physical education teacher, started running into obstacles last year when his application for a work permit was returned to him. My opinion of Canada isn't exactly great at the moment, said the frustrated Clark, who had looked forward to married life in Canada, away from the large crowds of the U.K. The place itself is beautiful but the way it's run I just can't believe some of the stuff that's happening. He'd forgotten to sign one of the many documents required by Canada's Department of Immigration. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

catholic priests: During the 100-day genocide, more than 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed by Hutu extremists, according to CTV. Many of the victims died at the hands of priests, clergymen and nuns, according to some accounts by survivors, and the Rwandan government says many died in the churches where they had sought refuge. In an extraordinary statement after Francis' meeting with Rwandan President Paul Kagame, the Vatican acknowledged that the church itself bore blame, as well as some Catholic priests and nuns who succumbed to hatred and violence, betraying their own evangelical mission by participating in the genocide. During the 25-minute meeting in the Apostolic Palace, Francis implored anew God's forgiveness for the sins and failings of the church and its members, the Vatican said. The Rwandan government has long pressured the church to apologize for its complicity in the genocide, but both the Vatican and the local church have been reluctant to do so. He expressed the desire that this humble recognition of the failings of that period, which unfortunately disfigured the face of the church, may contribute to a 'purification of memory' and may promote, in hope and renewed trust, a future of peace. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

deportation need: What would the school do, she asked, if she became separated from her children I remember walking up to her and putting my arm on her shoulder and saying, Your child is safe at our school,' said Scott Kizner, the city schools chief, according to Toronto Star. But he also advised those at the meeting in the Shenandoah Valley that any parents worried about deportation need to make plans. DAVID MCNEW / AFP/Getty Images By Moriah Balingit Emma Brown The Washington Post Sun., March 19, 2017 The schools superintendent in Harrisonburg, Virginia, was meeting parents this month when a mother broke down in tears, explaining that she was undocumented. Across the country, U.S. President Donald Trump's promise to crack down on illegal immigration is leading schools with large immigrant communities to consider how to care for children whose parents could be detained in federal raids. Officials in Sacramento, Denver, Chicago and Miami have declared their schools havens, out of reach of ICE agents without special permission or a warrant. Parents, teachers and administrators have raised questions about how schools should respond if U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents come to a school to take away students or obtain records even though the agency's policy restricts enforcement actions on school grounds. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

division title: Volunteers coach Butch Jones overhauled his coaching staff after a 9-4 season that included a Music City Bowl victory over Nebraska, according to Hamilton Spectator. Tennessee also enters spring practice Tuesday needing to find a new starting quarterback and attempting to replace several notable players lost to graduation or the NFL draft. Tennessee has a new look as it gets ready to chase its first Southeastern Conference Eastern Division title in a decade. As we all know, it hasn't been a typical off-season, Jones said. Newcomers include wide receivers coach Kevin Beard, quarterbacks coach Mike Canales, defensive line coach Brady Hoke defensive backs coach/special teams co-ordinator Charlton Warren and strength coach Rock Gullickson . The number increases to six if you add offensive line coach Walt Wells, who got a promotion after being offensive quality control assistant for Tennessee last year. A lot of new faces, which I think really have lent itself in turn to a lot of new energy, a lot of new excitement and some fresh perspectives from the five new coaches. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

emergency hearing: Tuesday's hearing by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights was prompted by the requests from advocacy groups in Canada and the United States to review what they called ongoing and deteriorating conditions faced by asylum-seekers and other migrants under the Trump administration, according to Toronto Star. These groups have asked the commission to make findings that Trump's travel ban against six Muslim-majority countries, which has been temporarily blocked by judges, and his expansion of detention and deportation against migrants violate U.S. human rights obligations. Drew Angerer / GETTY IMAGES By Nicholas Keung Immigration reporter Mon., March 20, 2017 A pan-American commission will hold an emergency hearing in Washington to investigate the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump's executive orders on human rights in the country. Some of the groups hope the human rights body will rule the U.S. is not safe for refugees and recommend the suspension of the Canada-U.S. Safe Third Country Agreement, which restricts asylum-seekers to filing claims in the country of their arrival. Article Continued Below The commission is part of the Organization of American States, made up of 35 countries, with a mission to promote and protect human rights in the American hemisphere. The expedited removals and expansion of detention under the orders are going to have profound implications on the U.S. asylum system, said Efrat Arbel, a University of British Columbia law professor who co-authored, with the Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinical Program, a recent review of Trump's executive orders. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

facebook page: The Canadian group claims on its Facebook page that it is here to help any Canadian in need regardless of race, colour or creed, according to CTV. However, those at the rally in Winnipeg were primarily white men wearing sunglasses and, in many cases, bandanas over their faces. The rally against Motion 103 was organized by the Soldiers of Odin Canada, a group with a name and symbol that closely resembles a European anti-immigrant organization. We're just here to have everybody's voices heard equally, one Soldier of Odin protester told CTV Winnipeg. All we want is freedom of speech for everybody over here so that you can say what you want about something and not have to worry about somebody charging you or arresting you, another of the Solider of Odin protesters, who did not wear a mask, told a gathering of reporters. The man wore dark sunglasses, a bandana over his face, a UFC baseball cap and a leather Soldiers of Odin jacket, with President written on the right breast. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

gambling: They were among 86 people found Saturday in an abandoned warehouse on Detroit's southwest side, according to Metro News. One person faces criminal gambling charges. They face removal proceedings. The raid was led by Homeland Security Investigations and involved 140 personnel from area departments. More than 100 roosters were turned over to state Agriculture officials. It followed several months of investigation into cockfighting and illegal gambling. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

group i: Bunjaki said Iceland is a good example for the developing teams like our case, according to Hamilton Spectator. Kosovo, accepted in UEFA and FIFA last year, will play the match against Iceland on Friday in neighbouring Albania at Loro Borici Stadium in Shkoder. Besart Berisha of Australian club Brisbane Roar, Donis Avdijaj of Schalke and Atdhe Nuhiu SK Austria Karnten are the newcomers. After four matches, Kosovo is last in Group I behind Croatia, Ukraine, Iceland, Turkey and Finland. Kosovo Goalkeepers Samir Ujkani Palermo Adis Nurkoviq Travnik Bledar Hajdini Trepca 89 Defenders Fanor Perdedaj 1860 Munich Alban Pnishi Grasshopper Amir Rrahmani Lokomotiva Leart Paqarada Sandhausen Mergim Vojvoda Mouscron Benjamin Kololli Lausanne Fidan Aliti Slaven Belupo Ardian Ismajli Hajduk Split Midfielders Hekuran Kryeziu Luzern Herolind Shala Kasimpasa Valon Berisha Salzburg Milot Rashica Vittesse Bernard Berisha Terek Grozny Bersant Celina Twente Arber Zeneli SC Heerenveen Elbasan Rashani Rosenborg Donis Avdijaj Scahlke Forwards Besart Berisha Brisbane Roar Atdhe Nuhiu Austria Karnten Vedat Muriqi Genclerbirligi By The Associated Press Time has come for a victory, Bunjaki said, and we enter this match to win. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

immigration: Departmental officials say Trump's executive orders are too new for them to be able to estimate how much they could cost Canada and in what ways, according to Metro News. The Immigration and Refugee Board, however, has been saying for months that a rise in the number of asylum claims is already straining its resources and it has put in a pitch for more cash. But both immigration officials and the federal minister told a House of Commons committee that right now, there's no new money. Board officials had been hoping to get an answer in Wednesday's federal budget but Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen wouldn't commit Monday to new funds. The board did receive about 4.5 million to deal with an expected increase in claims from Mexican nationals following a government decision to lift visas for Mexicans last December. He says the fact that claims have been rising at the IRB since 2015 is proof the problem goes beyond the so-called Trump effect. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

language ability: Canada, which in 1967 became the first nation to use a points system, grades applicants to its Federal Skilled Worker Program on six factors work experience, education, language ability, age, arranged employment, and a more subjective measure of adaptability, according to Hamilton Spectator. To be eligible for a permanent resident visa, an applicant must accumulate enough points in the various categories to pass. Such was the case earlier this month when he praised the skills-based immigration systems of Canada and Australia. The result is that about 60 per cent of permanent residents admitted to Canada are admitted for economic reasons. In other words Canada values skills, and selects its immigrants accordingly. Others are admitted mostly on the basis of family ties or refugee status. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

manitoba community: Neepawa's population has swelled with newcomers, mainly from the Philippines, in recent years, according to CBC. Many have come to work at the town's pork processing plant and have since brought their families. Tagalog classes are proving to be a hit among native English speakers in the western Manitoba community. You see the joy in their faces when you reply in their language, said John Drinkwater, one of the students in the 10-week class, a first in the town of about 4,000 people located 170 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg along the Yellowhead highway. Catholic church in Neepawa bursting at the seams due to immigration Immigration wave packs Neepawa schools John Drinkwater, back, and Colin Whelan, front, are two of the students learning Tagalog in Neepawa, Man. Drinkwater, a local newspaper reporter, wanted to learn Tagalog because a number of people in his church, and around town, speak the language. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

mohammed alsaleh: A Canadian addition would function as the go-to place for all things resettlement, including language, health, housing, and career services, according to Metro News. The idea is to put newcomers on a path to success and integration, said one Vancouverite who volunteers with Peace Geeks. Many Syrian refugees will have already used a version of the app, called Services Advisor, which was made in partnership with the UN's Refugee Agency and launched in Jordan refugee camps in 2014. When refugees come here, myself included, I was very dependent on technology, said Mohammed Alsaleh, a Syrian refugee who arrived in Canada a little over two years ago. But there is no app specific to refugees or immigrants, bridging the gap between settlement work and technology. I used Google maps to find my way, I used Google search to look up things. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.