Immigration and Refugees

Introduction to Canadian Immigration

Catching Terrorists

The Smart Border Declaration

Immigration and Refugees

Canada is known world wide as a country that is very welcoming to immigrants, refugees and visitors. However, since September 11th, there have been several changes made to the way we admit outsiders into the country. Now at border crossings many new precautions and procedures are taken in order to monitor the people coming in and out of the country, as well as goods and services crossing the border.

Ivy Lea Bridge, a part of the Canadian/US Border

Immigrating to Canada

Some of the new procedures that are taken when admitting people into the country are fingerprinting and photographing of all refugee claimants at the point of entry, as soon as they claim refugee status. Customs and immigration also have access to other and newer computer systems, making it easier for Canada and the US to communicate. There have been many restrictions imposed on those wishing to immigrate to Canada as well, such as new visa restrictions and requirements implemented on certain countries.

Also the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act was brought forth in July of 2002. The protection act provides more tools to ensure that security threats do not gain access to or stay in Canada. The act does as follows:

· allows us to remove security threats sooner;

· imposes harsher penalties for people using or selling forged or false documents.

· denies security threats access to our refugee determination process.

The above information was taken from:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pub/sept11.html

Crossing the Border

It is important, especially being so close with the US, and having all of our border crossings attached to them, to closely monitor goods and services, and people crossing into and out of the country. In the past Canada/ US cooperation and communication was good, they have always shared information with each other. However now, many new things have been implemented to ensure better communication between the two countries. Also, involvement of local law enforcement officials are now taking place. Things such as compatible computer systems still raise a problem in communication between Canada and the US.

In regards to car checks at the border, more random checks are completed now, approximately 1 in every 60 cars. However if someone is suspicious acting or gives the customs officer a bad "gut feeling", they have every right to pull over and question them.

There are several standard questions that need to be asked and answered when trying to cross over the border. Some of the questions are as follows:

• "What is your citizenship?"
• "Where are you going?"
• "What is the purpose of your trip?"
• "How long will you be staying?"
• "Have you ever been arrested?"

- Percy Steacy

When the customs/ immigration officer is questioning a person trying to enter the country and their answers seem suspicious in any way, the officer is permitted to then further question them on their own for as long as they feel necessary. Even after the questioning period is completed, if the officer is not fully satisfied, they still do not have to admit the visitor/ immigrant into the country.

It is also mandatory at the border to show proof of citizenship and a Photo identification card.

As far as passports and identification cards go in Canada, they have seen many new changes as well in the past few years. In the past, Canadian passports were considered to be one of the easiest to forge, and was in many cases the card of choice for those wishing to fake their identity.

"Canadian passports are also recognized worldwide, since we are known as a peaceful country with universal acceptance."

- Bob Gollinger

However now, Canadian passports have seen changes that make them one of the hardest to forge in the world. Canadian passports are now secure documents with a laser-engraved photograph and signature and many other security features, making them virtually impossible to fake.

Canadian Passport

Safety at Our Borders:

In the past at our borders, customs officers and employees at the borders did not carry guns. However now to ensure safety, RCMP officers who are armed are stationed at each border crossing.

New Technologies

Some of the new technologies that have been distributed to border crossings and Customs are digital fingerprint machines (Automatic Fingerprint Info System) that capture fingerprints and send them electronically to law enforcement agencies for further checks.

Also, all trucks that are to cross the border have to be pre cleared. New technologies allow a special X-ray camera to take pictures of the inside of the trucks, making it easier to monitor what is being transported across our borders.

Text by Carla Jones
Earth photo used with permission from NASA
Photos by Janel Hollingsworth, Andrew Harmsma & Hailey Hough
Athens District High School