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National African Canadian Initiative

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Immigration and Refugee Issues

Immigration and refugee matters under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act are administered by the Immigration and Refugee Board, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, and Canada Border Services Agency.

Immigration and Refugee Board

The Immigration and Refugee Board decides immigration and refugee cases and is comprised of four tribunals:

  • Refugee Protection Division - which determines claims for refugee protection made in Canada
  • Immigration Division - which conducts admissibility hearings for people believed to be inadmissible to, or removable from, Canada, and reviews the grounds for detention of people detained under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
  • Immigration Appeal Division - which hears appeals on immigration matters such as appeals from refused sponsorship applications and from removal orders
  • Refugee Appeal Division - which has been created, but not implemented, to decide appeals from decisions made by the Refugee Protection Division

For information on the Immigration and Refugee Board visit: www.irb-cisr.gc.ca.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Citizenship and Immigration Canada is responsible for implementing Canada's immigration and refugee programs, such as applications for permanent residence, work permits, study permits, and family sponsorship applications.

For information on Citizenship and Immigration Canada and immigration applications visit: www.cic.gc.ca/english.

Canada Border Services Agency

Canada Border Services Agency is responsible for the enforcement of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Its responsibilities include: immigration investigations, admissibility hearings, immigrant arrests and detentions in Canada and at ports of entry, and removals (deportation).

For information on Canada Border Services Agency's enforcement mandate visit: www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/general/enforcement/menu-e.html.

Immigration and Refugee Legal Services

Legal Aid is available for certain immigration and refugee matters, including refugee hearings, detention reviews, humanitarian and compassionate submissions, deportation appeals, and applications to Federal Court. To apply for a Legal Aid Certificate, visit a Legal Aid Ontario office to complete an application to see if you meet the financial criteria for assistance.

A Legal Aid Certificate will cover services provided by lawyers on the Legal Aid Refugee Panel.

The Refugee Law Office also provides legal services for refugee claims and detention reviews, with a legal certificate. For more information on the Refugee Law Office visit: www.legalaid.on.ca/en/info/PDF/RLO%20pamphlet.pdf

Your local community legal clinic may also provide legal assistance on immigration and refugee matters.

For more information on immigration and refugee issues visit:

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