Immigration Issues Flashcards
What are some impacts on the health of new immigrants facing legal problems
Interviewees’ lives were significantly impacted by their serious legal problems. Economically, they had to borrow money, apply for social assistance, and deal with poor living conditions because of some of the financial consequences of their legal problems. Socially, they reported 9 tensions with family members, ruined friendships, and reduced collegiality within work settings. Physically and mentally, they reported various health problems, such as sleep deprivation, headaches, blood pressure problems, stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness.
Access to Justice
Immigrants in Ontario have the right to access legal services and protections. This includes:
Legal Aid Ontario (LAO): Provides legal assistance for individuals who cannot afford a lawyer, including immigrants who are facing legal issues such as criminal charges or immigration-related matters.
Interpreter Services: For those who do not speak English or French fluently, Ontario’s courts offer interpreter services to ensure that language barriers do not impede access to justice.
Immigration and Refugee Legal Matters
The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) governs immigration law in Canada. If immigrants face legal challenges related to their immigration status, they can seek assistance from immigration lawyers, and the courts will adjudicate cases such as:
Refugee claims: Those seeking asylum in Canada can make refugee claims, which will be processed by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB).
Deportation: Immigrants facing deportation may challenge the decision through the Federal Court or seek a stay of deportation while they appeal the decision.
Residency and Citizenship Issues: Individuals who are permanent residents but face issues related to their residency status can go through the legal process to appeal decisions made by immigration authorities.
Criminal Justice System and Immigrants
If immigrants are charged with a criminal offense, they go through the regular criminal justice system, but there are additional considerations:
Impact on Immigration Status: A criminal conviction could affect an immigrant’s immigration status, potentially leading to deportation or inadmissibility.
Cultural Sensitivity: Ontario’s justice system is designed to be culturally sensitive, recognizing that immigrants may have different experiences with law enforcement or judicial processes in their home countries.
Human Rights Protections
Immigrants in Ontario are protected by both federal and provincial human rights laws, including the Ontario Human Rights Code. This ensures that immigrants cannot face discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, language, or immigration status in areas such as:
Employment
Housing
Public services
Access to education
Immigrants who believe they have been discriminated against have the right to file complaints with the Ontario Human Rights Commission
Family Law
Immigrants in Ontario also have access to family law protections. For instance:
Child Custody and Divorce: Immigrant families can seek legal advice and representation in family law matters, regardless of their immigration status.
Spousal Sponsorship and Support: Family law issues can intertwine with immigration issues, such as sponsorship applications, or issues related to domestic violence.
Legal Rights of Undocumented Immigrants
While undocumented immigrants in Ontario may face challenges, they still have rights under Canadian law:
They are protected from exploitation and mistreatment and can access emergency medical care, though they may face barriers in other areas.
They are still entitled to legal representation, and in some cases, can access services such as housing and healthcare.
In conclusion, the justice system in Ontario aims to protect the rights of immigrants and provide them with access to legal recourse when needed. It’s important for immigrants to be informed of their rights and seek legal advice if they encounter legal challenges related to their immigration status, criminal charges, or other issues.
Immigrants in Toronto
Location
Immigrants may choose to live in areas with higher crime rates because they are less expensive or have a large population of people from the same ethnic background.
Legal status
Legal status
Granting legal status to undocumented immigrants may reduce crime rates among that population.
Demographic
Demographic characteristics
Factors like being young, male, and poorly-educated can increase the likelihood of imprisonment among immigrants.
Poverty
Social and economic disadvantage
Poverty is strongly associated with crime, particularly serious offenses like assault, robbery, and homicide.
Fear
crime
Fear of crime can lead to negative attitudes towards refugees.
