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Tag: Canadian citizenship

  • Brothers Evade Sanctions and Start Fresh: Controversial Name Change in Ontario Sparks Debate

    Brothers Evade Sanctions and Start Fresh: Controversial Name Change in Ontario Sparks Debate

    Two brothers, Amin and Arash Yousefijam, convicted in the United States for helping Iran circumvent sanctions, have successfully adopted new identities in Ontario, raising serious concerns regarding the integrity of Canada’s immigration processes. Documents obtained by Global News reveal that the Yousefijam brothers, originally sentenced in Michigan in 2021 for using shell companies to export sensitive equipment to Iran, returned to Ontario and changed their names to Ameen and Aurash Cohen in April 2022.

    At the time of their name change, both were still serving their sentences under supervised release. Arash, now Dr. Aurash Cohen, became a registered dentist in Ottawa, while Amin, who assumed the name Ameen Cohen, found employment as a compliance officer in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Despite his lack of Canadian citizenship and ongoing deportation proceedings, Amin was issued a name change certificate.

    Under Ontario law, applicants for name changes must disclose any criminal convictions, yet it remains unclear how the brothers obtained new identities while still entangled in legal issues. While Arash expressed a desire to start anew, arguing that his past legal troubles were resolved, Amin’s situation is more precarious, with a deportation hearing set for October 28.

    The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is pursuing Amin’s deportation, alleging that he undermined Canadian efforts to manage the Iranian regime’s influence. CBSA documents indicate that Amin’s actions posed increased security threats to Canada. As tensions rise between Iran and Israel, this case illustrates the broader implications of sanctions enforcement and immigration practices in Canada.

    Experts have voiced concern over the brothers’ ability to change their identities and the implications for national security, noting that sanctions are vital for maintaining a safer global environment. Jessica Davis, a national security expert, emphasized the necessity of upholding sanctions to protect Canadian interests and the global financial system.

    As this situation unfolds, it highlights significant questions about the efficacy of Canada’s immigration policies and the ongoing challenges related to sanctions evasion.

    Source: Swifteradio.com

  • Court Grants Trudeau Government Extension to Fix ‘Lost Canadians’ Citizenship Rules — with Conditions

    The federal government has received a brief extension to revise citizenship laws affecting “lost Canadians” born abroad, following an Ontario court’s ruling requiring Ottawa to reinstate their citizenship rights.

    Despite lacking a comprehensive plan for urgent cases impacted by the delay, the government was granted a reprieve to amend the Citizenship Act, specifically to address the “second-generation cut-off” rule deemed unconstitutional by the court six months ago. The rule denied automatic citizenship to children born outside Canada if their parents were also born overseas.

    On Wednesday, just before the original deadline, the government requested a six-month extension, citing the introduction of amendment bill C-71 in May. This bill aims to grant citizenship to those affected and address legislative gaps to prevent future issues. Officials highlighted the complexity of the legislative process, which includes training immigration staff, updating forms and websites, and coordinating various efforts.

    Judge Jasmine Akbarali granted only a seven-week extension, emphasizing the need for an interim plan to handle urgent citizenship requests and pushing for the passage of Bill C-71 by December 19. She stressed the importance of balancing the government’s need to fix the issue properly and the continued hardship faced by affected Canadians.

    “While it has been working on the legislation, the respondent has not proceeded with any sense of urgency to rectify the unconstitutional aspects of the legislation,” Akbarali noted in her decision. She criticized the government for not having an effective mechanism to address the hardship caused by the delay.

    The judge highlighted that approximately 170,000 first-generation women born abroad, who are at the age where family planning decisions are made, continue to be affected by the current law. The court compared the delay in passing Bill C-71 to other bills that were expedited, such as Bill C-62 regarding medical assistance in dying, which passed swiftly earlier this year.

    “There is no explanation as to why this bill is languishing since May 23, 2024, when the government was aware of the date on which the suspended declaration of invalidity was set to expire,” said Akbarali. She added that the current law interferes with Canadians’ Charter rights, affecting their decisions on living arrangements and family planning.

    The government’s proposal to grant citizenship at the immigration minister’s discretion during the interim was deemed “ineffective and poorly communicated” by the judge. Toronto lawyer Sujit Choudhry, representing six families in the constitutional challenge, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, which included granting citizenship and compensation to three of the families.

    “They now have the full benefit of the court’s judgment,” Choudhry stated. “They are not second-class citizens anymore. It was very important for them that there be accountability. They led this fight not just for themselves, but for everyone like them.”

    The parties will reconvene on August 1 to review the government’s progress on the interim plan and efforts to pass Bill C-71 by the new deadline. The court will then make a final decision regarding the extension to December 19.

    The “second-generation” cut-off was initially introduced by a Conservative government, removing the “connection test” for descendants reclaiming citizenship based on their ties to Canada. Despite numerous amendments, many Canadians remain affected by these rules.

    Source: Toronto Star