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.

immigration authorities: Four months later, federal prosecutors ended the deportation proceedings, citing an unrelated 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that found a portion of federal immigration law defining what makes crimes violent and making it easier to deport someone convicted of such a crime too vague, according to Vancouver Courier. He was released on Nov. 7, 2016, the official said. The DHS official, who was not authorized to discuss the case on the record and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said Monday that federal immigration authorities began deportation proceedings against Karrar Noaman Al Khammasi after he violated probation terms of a felony trespassing plea in 2015.article continues below Trending StoriesB.C.'s youth voters targeted in Apathy is Boring campaign Keepers of East Van book box want to stamp out re-selling East Van house fire results in city's sixth fire-related death in 2018No need to fret, Vancouver guitar festival is back and bigger than ever The official said an immigration judge ordered on June 13, 2016, that Al Khammasi be removed from the country. In the appeals case, Moldova native Constantine Fedor Golicov was convicted in Utah of failing to stop at a police officer's command, prompting immigration officials to begin deportation proceedings against him. The U.S. Supreme Court took up a similar case this year, striking down part of federal immigration law making it easier to deport immigrants convicted of a crime of violence. On appeal, Golicov argued that federal law outlining classes of immigrants who could be deported, including those convicted of a crime of violence, was unconstitutionally vague and should not be used to justify his removal from the country. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

immigration documents: The allegations, which have not been proven in court, come just two months after two Charlottetown hoteliers were charged with aiding in immigration fraud, with the CBSA alleging 566 immigrants used the addresses of the siblings' hotel and home, according to Vancouver Courier. The siblings' lawyer recently denied the allegations of misrepresentation in comments to reporters, and said they intend to plead not guilty. Rather, she alleged their immigration documents are collected and sent on to them, at their real address elsewhere in Canada or back in China, she writes. However, the latest allegations, if they lead to charges, would bring the total number of address of convenience cases to about 1,000 in the provincial nominee program PNP with all but a few of these immigrants gaining permanent residency in Canada. They have most of the rights of citizens and can take advantage of social programs, but they can't vote, seek public office, obtain a Canadian passport or hold jobs that require a security clearance. Permanent residents are immigrants who are not Canadian citizens, but they have been given permission to stay and work in Canada for five years before applying for renewal. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

nova choir: We want to make a splash in Halifax, Karen Burke, Toronto director and conductor, said Saturday morning, according to CTV. She said the union of the two choirs is significant because there aren't many gospel choirs left in Canada, and both of them have lasted for decades. The Toronto Mass Choir is in Halifax for the first time to perform a Saturday night show with the Nova Scotia Mass Choir, and members from both ensembles gathered on the Halifax waterfront to give onlookers a taste of what they do. Toronto's choir celebrated its 30th anniversary in October, and Nova Scotia's choir isn't far behind at 26. We're celebrating the fact that cultures are together, so it's an inter-provincial, but also a multicultural expression of gospel music, Burke said. Though both choirs began with mostly black members, they now have a mix of people from all sorts of backgrounds, with Burke saying the Toronto choir has members from South Korea, Jamaica, South Africa and India. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

canadian bank: Their Toronto restaurant, Zezafoun, which is now also staffed by a number of part-time employees, nearly didn't come to fruition, according to CTV. It's almost impossible to start anything, said Aleid of her family's frustrating experience applying for a loan from a Canadian bank. But that was far from the biggest financial feat they faced. She said the bank didn't give her family a reason for their failed application. The bank rejected Aleid mother's loan application, so the family found a work around combining their savings and borrowing from family. In addition to the typical hurdles recent newcomers face such as language and cultural differences, those who want to start a business in their new country face unique challenges, including difficulties securing credit because they lack credit history or collateral. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

pavilions dot: The Edmonton Heritage Festival runs until 8 p.m. on Monday in Hawrelak Park, according to Toronto Star. The 2018 iteration of the festival features the largest number of pavilions yet 72 in total, representing cultural performances and food from 100 countries. Stretching into the distance, dozens of pavilions dot the park landscape, all in preparation for one of the most popular summer festivals in the city the Edmonton Heritage Festival, taking place from Saturday to Monday. Putting together a festival that draws more than 430,000 visitors is no easy feat. Preparations for raising the tents begins a month before the August long weekend festival. Cultural groups need to apply for pavilions months in advance and meet strict health and safety requirements to serve food. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

zoning rules: A group of manufacturers, landlords, designers and politicians has a plan to preserve a remnant of the garment industry in a neighbourhood where about 5,000 people are still employed in workshops mostly serving higher-end designers, while doing away with zoning rules that critics said put onerous restrictions on prime real estate, according to CTV. City Hall wants to preserve at least 300,000 square feet for garment manufacturing, but allow real estate developers to bring in more 21st century businesses. But the city's garment district isn't dead yet. Property owners have already pledged to fill 300,000 square feet with apparel manufacturing, and the city is seeking to add more. The plan, if approved by the City Council, would lift 1987 zoning that reserved about 4 million square feet of space in the garment district's high-rises for apparel-production businesses. For now, that's millions of fewer square feet than factories occupied in the industry's glory days from the 1920s to the 1960s. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

vancouver trucks: It's almost impossible to start anything, said Aleid of her family's frustrating experience applying for a loan from a Canadian bank, according to Vancouver Courier. She said the bank didn't give her family a reason for their failed application. But that was far from the biggest financial feat they faced.article continues below Trending Stories Controversial climate change activists stick it to Vancouver trucks and SUVSVancouver High on Life vloggers die in Shannon Falls tragedy Support group targets Vancouver mistresses Downtown Eastside Canada's most famous junkie' comes clean Their Toronto restaurant, Zezafoun, which is now also staffed by a number of part-time employees, nearly didn't come to fruition. In addition to the typical hurdles recent newcomers face such as language and cultural differences, those who want to start a business in their new country face unique challenges, including difficulties securing credit because they lack credit history or collateral. Aleid recognizes refugees without family or personal funds wouldn't have that option. The bank rejected Aleid mother's loan application, so the family found a work around combining their savings and borrowing from family. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

cnn anchor: The statement didn't criticize the president, according to CTV. Trump blasted James late Friday after an interview aired with CNN anchor Don Lemon in which he deemed Trump divisive. Melania Trump's spokeswoman quickly distanced the first lady from the criticism of James, saying in a statement Saturday afternoon that it appeared James was working to do good things on behalf of our next generation and that the first lady would be open to visiting his new school for at-risk children. Although James has long been a Trump critic, calling the president U bum in a 2017 tweet, the tweet was Trump's first attack on the player, who just opened up a school for underprivileged children in his hometown of Akron. Lebron James was just interviewed by the dumbest man on television, Don Lemon, Trump posted. The tweet also came hours before Trump travelled to Columbus, Ohio, for a rally north of town in support of the Republican in a special U.S. House election on Tuesday, turning his criticism of James into an attack on a favourite son of the state. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

island campsite: Star reporter Marco Chown Oved casts a line into the water at Rock Lake on his first trip to Algonquin Park since he was a teen, according to Toronto Star. Cristen Carson photo We saw a bull moose grazing in the reeds, a heron fishing in the mud, chipmunks and red squirrels and more frogs than you could catch. Five couples and seven kids all under the age of 6 piled into canoes and paddled across Rock Lake to a gorgeous island campsite sheltered by towering pines and carpeted by orange needles. It was a nostalgic weekend for everyone, reliving our childhood camping excursions and creating new memories for our kids. The smell of wet cedar, the feeling of sand between your toes, the tingling of the sun on your shoulders. Sure, some things were different there was a fire ban and we had to cook all our meals on camping stoves but the experience of spending time in nature never changes. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

david paulino: The Jays' non-waiver deadline dealing added five prospects to their top 30, according to the MLB Pipeline right-hander Hector Perez, acquired in the Roberto Osuna trade, at No. 11; outfielder Billy McKinney, part of the J.A. Happ deal, at No. 19; right-hander David Paulino Osuna No. 20; shortstop Santiago Espinal Steve Pearce at No. 24; and outfielder Forrest Wall Seunghwan Oh at No. 26, according to Toronto Star. David Paulino was among Houston's top pitching prospects before a PED suspension and injuries. But the depth of the Blue Jays' farm system, now ranked fifth in all of baseball by MLB Pipeline, keeps getting stronger. Rich Schultz / GETTY IMAGES There's the potential to add more in August, if Toronto can engineer deals for any of their free-agent eligible players, including former MVP Josh Donaldson. Guerrero, recently promoted to Triple-A Buffalo, is the top-ranked prospect in baseball, and four more Jays up-and-comers are in MLB Pipeline's top 100 Bichette ninth catcher Danny Jansen 73rd right-hander Nate Pearson 90th and outfielder Anthony Alford 92nd . As for organizations, only two in the American League are ranked ahead of Toronto the Chicago White Sox at No. 3, and Tampa Bay at No. 4. But their rebuild has a pretty good foundation. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

home state: Last week, a federal judge ordered both Emilio and Oscar released, noting that evidence suggested that Emilio was targeted by ICE for speaking out, according to Rabble. Gutierrez Soto's case is emblematic of the cruelty of President Donald Trump's crackdown on immigrants and asylum-seekers, as well as Trump's increasingly vitriolic disdain for the free press. He and his son Oscar were detained by ICE Immigration and Customs Enforcement last December, two months after Emilio received an award from the National Press Club, where he publicly denounced the asylum process. In 2005, Emilio wrote a series of articles documenting corruption in the Mexican army in his home state of Chihuahua. Emilio grabbed his vital documents and his 14-year-old son, and fled for the U.S. border. He refused to stop reporting, and, in 2008, received an urgent call from a friend who had heard that Emilio was about to be killed. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

nova choir: We want to make a splash in Halifax, Karen Burke, Toronto director and conductor, said Saturday morning, according to The Chronicle Herald. She said the union of the two choirs is significant because there aren't many gospel choirs left in Canada, and both of them have lasted for decades. The Toronto Mass Choir is in Halifax for the first time to perform a Saturday night show with the Nova Scotia Mass Choir, and members from both ensembles gathered on the Halifax waterfront to give onlookers a taste of what they do. Toronto's choir celebrated its 30th anniversary in October, and Nova Scotia's choir isn't far behind at 26. We're celebrating the fact that cultures are together, so it's an inter-provincial, but also a multicultural expression of gospel music, Burke said. Though both choirs began with mostly black members, they now have a mix of people from all sorts of backgrounds, with Burke saying the Toronto choir has members from South Korea, Jamaica, South Africa and India. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

spray-painting spree: Working with EPS hate crimes unit, investigators believe the incident occurred early Thursday morning, according to Toronto Star. A bus shelter near the Lessard Community League was one of the sites defaced with swastikas after two southwest Edmonton neighbourhoods were targeted in spray-painting spree. Edmonton Police Service said officers responded Friday afternoon to reports of red swastikas sprayed on a residential fence and driveway, as well as a bus shelter and school basketball court in the communities. Sarah Hamilton / Contributed City Councillor Sarah Hamilton, a longtime resident of the area and representative for the affected neighbourhoods, said she has never seen anything like this happen so close to home, and issued a statement condemning the acts after it was brought to her attention Thursday evening. Some of the symbols had already been covered up, But you could still see the terrible outline, she said. In a telephone interview, Hamilton told Star Metro that she also saw similar graffiti painted on a trash bin and storage shack outside the Lessard Community League. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

domenic cuccione: She said the union of the two choirs is significant because there aren't many gospel choirs left in Canada, and both of them have lasted for decades, according to Vancouver Courier. Toronto's choir celebrated its 30th anniversary in October, and Nova Scotia's choir isn't far behind at 26. The Toronto Mass Choir is in Halifax for the first time to perform a Saturday night show with the Nova Scotia Mass Choir, and members from both ensembles gathered on the Halifax waterfront to give onlookers a taste of what they do.article continues below Trending Stories Seth Rogen apologizes for use of blackface on Vancouver set Domenic Cuccione to be invested with OBCRemains of missing Australian woman found in lake near Whistler These countries are coming to help fight B.C. wildfires We want to make a splash in Halifax, said Karen Burke, Toronto director and conductor. Though both choirs began with mostly black members, they now have a mix of people from all sorts of backgrounds, with Burke saying the Toronto choir has members from South Korea, Jamaica, South Africa and India. When we come together, it's evidence of the power of the music and also what happens when people get together for one purpose. We're celebrating the fact that cultures are together, so it's an inter-provincial, but also a multicultural expression of gospel music, Burke said. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

anti-racist majority: We, the anti-racist majority, will rally to say no to Islamophobia and racism. 1 30 pm, according to NOW Magazine. This date marks one year since the horrific events in Charlottesville, NC when neo-Nazis rampaged, killing Heather Heyer and injuring many others. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

border security: The money was announced in June as part of a 50-million commitment to Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba to help cover some of the costs they have borne as a result of the ongoing spike in asylum seekers crossing the Canada-U.S. border irregularly, according to National Observer. Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen said in June the money was meant as a first instalment to the provinces. Bill Blair, federal minister of border security and organized crime reduction, says talks will continue between the city and federal officials on longer-term solutions that could include further financial support for temporary housing for asylum seekers.. ; Blair made the comments this morning after a meeting with Toronto Mayor John Tory, who has raised the alarm about the strain asylum seekers have been putting on the city's shelter system. In total, 36 million was promised to Quebec, 11 million to Ontario and 3 million to Manitoba. ; Last week, the Ontario provincial government requested 200 million from the federal government to pay the costs of asylum seekers living in Ontario, including other areas in the province such as Ottawa. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

community picnic: Rather, according to Statistics Canada, it is people of colour, notably Blacks, Muslims, Arabs, Indigenous people and Asians, who have been attacked and brutalized in Canadian communities, according to Rabble. It is Muslims who have recently been the target of violence, and even murder.CBC Radio One recently highlighted five racial attacks. Nevertheless, contrary to what groups like B'nai Brith Canada would have us believe, the main targets of harassment and violence in Canada are not Jews. None involved Jews. Two white brothers shouted, Fucking Arab people -- terrorists! as they kicked his car. First was the brutal assault which all but cost the life of a 39-year-old man in Mississauga who tried to drive home from a community picnic in a park on July 15. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

detention centre: HERIKA MARTINEZ / AFP/GETTY IMAGES Maria holds her 4-year-old son Franco after he arrived at the El Paso International Airport Thursday, July 26, 2018 in El Paso, Texas, according to Toronto Star. The two had been separated for over six weeks after being entering the country. Migrant teenagers play football at a temporary detention centre at Tornillo, Texas, near the Mexico-US border on June 18, 2018. RUBEN R. RAMIREZ / The El Paso Times via AP Leticia Zamarripa, a spokeswoman for ICE, disputed the account, saying a group of fewer than 50 fathers and children staged a brief sit-in on Thursday but there has been no mass protest or hunger strike. But Jennifer Falcon, communications director for the immigrant advocacy group, said about 300 men and 300 boys are participating in an ongoing protest, with adults not eating or drinking and children declining to participate in school activities. Zamarripa said in an emailed statement that the protesters dispersed after an ICE supervisor explained immigration processes to address concerns they had raised about their cases. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

fiscal-capacity issues: Further, if they do say or post anything remotely controversial, heartfelt apologies are to be immediately made while offending statements are to be removed from public view, even if such statements offer factual truths required to raise public awareness and foment serious discussion of critical health and fiscal-capacity issues, according to The Chronicle Herald. Also, apparently, electoral representation actually means toeing the party line and doing no more than acting as a robotic mouthpiece for the governing party's actions and preferences. First of all, it is now made perfectly clear that any backbencher keen to advance his or her political career must avoid at all costs saying anything that might upset or offend some voters. Are these qualities that citizens want and expect from the people they elect to represent them I expect not. Apparently, suggesting that citizens have duties and responsibilities when it comes to their province's state of affairs is potentially offensive and, as such, not even to be whispered. Rather, citizens would prefer straight-talking representation that doesn't recoil at the prospect of giving offence when sincerely addressing critical public-interest issues such as the impact of escalating health-care costs on the capacity of government to fund schools, highway repairs, social needs and other public services. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

immigration officers: They were, we had been given the impression, among the 700,000 Rohingya Muslims who had fled northern Rakhine state in Burma for Bangladesh last year in an exodus the United States and other countries condemned as ethnic cleansing, according to Toronto Star. A Rohingya Muslim behind barbed wire in the Taung Pyo border area between Burma and Bangladesh, in Maungdaw Township, Burma, July 26. Inside, a row of men sat huddled against the wall as armed police and immigration officers stood over them. Dozens of Rohingya Muslims have been repatriated, officials said, thanks to the good will of the Burmese government, but like nearly every interaction on a recent government-led trip for journalists to the epicentre of the crisis, cracks appeared in the official story line. But like nearly every interaction on a recent government-led trip for journalists to the epicenter of the crisis, cracks appeared in the official story line. ADAM DEAN / The New York Times Now, dozens had been repatriated, officials said, thanks to the goodwill of the Burma government, which wanted to show off its commitment to welcoming back the Rohingya and the rows of barracks it had prepared for the returnees. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

housing crunch: A refugee family from Nigeria that has stayed in Toronto shelters since February will move to a four-bedroom apartment near Finch Ave, according to Toronto Star. W. and Weston Rd. in September. Like thousands of others who crossed the Canada-U.S. border and made their way to shelters in Toronto, they found themselves squeezed in a housing crunch that has become a focal point for both a public backlash and a political spat. Some people think that we come here to take money from your government, said Adenike, 38. We don't want to take up the shelter space. That's just not the case. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

philippe couillard: That perception problem will weigh on both Justin Trudeau and Philippe Couillard, Patriquin says, according to CTV. In Trudeau's case, he is still fairl popular and the Conservative Andrew Scheer will try to pick at issues like this one that he is perceived to be soft on. He says people fear and exaggerate the unknown, particularly when it is highlighted often in the media. Couillard and the provincial Liberals, meantime, are on the downswing and will see the immigration and identity issue play right into the CAQ's hands, he says. Watch the video for the complete interview. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

roe v: The other was a speech before a conservative group in which he spoke admiringly of Justice William Rehnquist's dissent in the 1973 Roe v, according to The Chronicle Herald. Wade case that established a woman's right to abortion. One was in a dissent in the case of a 17-year-old migrant seeking to terminate her pregnancy. Yet the big question about Kavanaugh's view on abortion remains unanswered whether he would vote to overturn Roe. Decades of Kavanaugh's writings, speeches and judicial opinions, reviewed by The Associated Press, reveal a sparse record on abortion. He'll almost certainly decline to answer when he is asked directly at his confirmation hearing. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

sex acts: The case was first reported by Pro Publica, according to The Chronicle Herald. Authorities charge that Pacheco performed sex acts on two boys and touched six others, all between ages 15 to 17 at the time. Court documents show Levian Pacheco faces several charges stemming from incidents that allegedly took place between August 2016 and July 2017 at a Southwest Key facility in Mesa. Court documents also state that Pacheco is HIV-positive and that some of the teens opted to be tested for the virus. His federal public defender has said in court documents that the government's allegations of the crimes committed by Pacheco include an extraordinarily broad range of dates and lack of specificity. Pacheco has pleaded not guilty and denied the allegations. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

effect june: The case was first reported by Pro Publica.article continues below Trending Stories Seth Rogen apologizes for use of blackface on Vancouver set Minimum wage increases go into effect June 1 across B.C. Vancouver records worst week for overdose deaths this year Snowbirds air show part of entertainment lined up for Honda Celebration of Light Authorities charge that Pacheco performed sex acts on two boys and touched six others, all between ages 15 to 17 at the time, according to Vancouver Courier. Court documents also state that Pacheco is HIV-positive and that some of the teens opted to be tested for the virus. Court documents show Levian Pacheco faces several charges stemming from incidents that allegedly took place between August 2016 and July 2017 at a Southwest Key facility in Mesa. Pacheco has pleaded not guilty and denied the allegations. We are looking forward to defending Mr. His federal public defender has said in court documents that the government's allegations of the crimes committed by Pacheco include an extraordinarily broad range of dates and lack of specificity. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.

immigration committee: The total adds up to more than 270 million up to the end of June, according to National Observer. Canada Border Services Agency CBSA which manages border security, reports it spent about 54.5 million between April 2017 and June 2018. The figures were requested by parliamentary budget officer Jean-Denis Frechette in early July and were recently released to members of the immigration committee. ; All four agencies involved in dealing with irregular migration submitted amounts they have spent every month since early 2017 when the influx of asylum seekers began to ramp up. The agency said it did not have comprehensive data prior to that period because the numbers of irregular asylum seekers in previous years were small and mainly only being tracked manually. The Immigration and Refugee Board IRB an arms-length agency that adjudicates refugee claims and appeals, began tracking irregular migrants in February 2017. The Immigration Department, meanwhile, has spent over 117 million since early 2017 and the RCMP says it has spent over 7.3 million since June 2017. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.