cover image: Re: Facilitative measures for Afghan nationals CBA Afghanistan pro bono

20.500.12592/g81j1h

Re: Facilitative measures for Afghan nationals CBA Afghanistan pro bono

13 Dec 2021

The Afghanistan/ Pakistan border is formally closed to everyone except those with valid travel documents or work authorizations.6 Desperate Afghans who attempt to enter the country and line up at the border are subjected to bribe extortions and violence by smugglers and Pakistani border guards, and face risk of death or serious illness due to dehydration and heatstroke.7 In Iran, refugee registrat. [...] IRCC processing guidelines under this policy invite decision-makers to consider the nature and duration of the familial relation, the extent of financial and emotional dependence, the anticipated impact of a separation, and to determine “whether compelling H&C reasons exist to allow such persons to immigrate to Canada.”16 Officers often do not apply this policy favourably and refuse sponsorship ap. [...] 12 ARCHIVED – Temporary public policy to facilitate the sponsorship of Syrian and Iraqi refugees by Groups of Five and Community Sponsors 13 Canada’s response to the conflict in Syria 14 Supporting Afghan nationals: Key figures 15 The categories of family members eligible for sponsorship are enumerated in IRPR s. [...] RECOMMENDATIONS We urge IRCC to: - Waive the requirements to complete biometrics and medical exams, given the inherent barriers to Afghans to fulfill them; - Instruct processing networks and visa offices to follow a concrete and measurable processing standard of 30 days for TRV/TRP applications for Afghan applicants; - Ensure reliable priority processing, and that applicants be instructed to state. [...] IRCC’s program delivery guidelines on TRP-processing instruct officers to consider the extent to which the applicant’s need to enter Canada is compelling, and to balance Canada’s social, economic, and humanitarian commitments under IRPA against any risks posed to the health and safety of Canadians.

Authors

Lisa Middlemiss

Pages
6
Published in
Canada