| | |  Editorials | Issues | November 2008 
Canada Warns Would-Be Refugees of Fraud
 United Press International
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 |  | The government of Canada has no special programs to fast-track applications or grant refugee status to Haitians, Mexicans or other nationals. |  | | | |
Ottawa - The Canadian government has posted a warning to would-be Mexican and Haitian refugees of U.S. scams that lie about receiving special immigration status.
In a report Wednesday, the Immigration and Refugee Board said there are about 9,500 Mexicans and 7,700 Haitians in the country awaiting hearings, Sun Media reported Thursday.
During the immigration process, which can take a year or longer pending appeals, refugee hopefuls are entitled to housing, health and social services benefits, the report said.
Officials said the record influx is driven by the fact Mexicans don't need a visa to enter Canada. They also allege Haitians are being shipped to Canada by profiteers in Florida who charge as much as $600 in fees and promise special treatment in Canada.
The Citizenship and Immigration Canada Web site has a warning posted that isn't proving effective, the report said.
"The government of Canada has no special programs to fast-track applications or grant refugee status to Haitians, Mexicans or other nationals," the site says.
The site also denies refugee status can be purchased and that U.S. documents can be simply exchanged for Canadian ones. It warns against purchasing refugee application forms, as the government provides them free. |
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