Canada to crack down on immigration fraud

In an unprecedented measure, Canada could strip thousands of migrants of their citizenship, in a new effort to show that the country has a zero-tolerance policy towards individuals fraudulently attempting to gain Canadian citizenship or permanent residency.

Canadian immigration

Canada could strip thousands of migrants of their citizenship.

The move will see over 6,500 people from more than 100 countries investigated, with a view to stripping over 2,000 individuals of their Canadian citizenship.

Speaking on the new move, Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney stated that "Canadian citizenship is not for sale."

He continued: "Canadians are generous people, but have no tolerance or patience for people who don't play by the rules and who lie or cheat to become a Canadian citizen."

At the moment, there are approximately 2,100 Canada visa holders who could have their citizenship stripped by the government, with another 4,400 permanent residents "who are known to be implicated in residence fraud" who will be flagged for additional scrutiney should they attempt to enter Canada or obtain citizenship.

The hardline approach has no precedent, with only 67 citizenships revoked since the enactment of Canada's Citizenship Act in 1947. However, despite the large numbers targeted, the majority of the cases are linked to just three immigration consultants.

In March, immigration consultant Hassan Al-Awaid of Halifax was charged with fraudulently aiding 1,100 foreigners to obtain permanent residency or citizenship.

Another consultant, Nizar Zakka of Montreal, was arrested in 2009 for providing false evidence of Canadian residency to hundreds of Lebanese nationals. The final implicated consultant is based in Mississauga and is apparently under investigation for similar instances of immigration fraud.

The Canadian Visa Bureau is an independent migration consultancy specialising in helping people make their application to the Canadian Embassy.