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New Family Reunification Rules Protect Immigrants

Blog posted on by Evelyn Ackah in Family Class

New Family Reunification Rules Protect Immigrants

IRCC announced a new 2-year pilot to allow immigrants who did not initially declare lost family members to sponsor them at a later date. The current policy creates a hardship for refugees trying to reunite with family members who were lost during war, violence or natural disasters such as a typhoon; and for migrants who failed to disclose the existence of children they didn’t know were theirs.

The pilot project will launch September 9, 2019, and run until September 9, 2021. Sponsorship applications for previously undeclared family members to become permanent residents that are already underway will be processed under the new rules. IRCC Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen told attendees at a Canada Bar Association meeting:

“Newcomers who failed to declare immediate family members as they first came to Canada were barred to sponsor them (later). “Today, we right that wrong.”

Family Class Sponsorship section 117(9)(d) previously barred immediate family members from sponsoring undeclared family members who did not accompany them to become Canada permanent residents.

The pilot program is in support of Canada's commitment to family reunification.


Evelyn L. Ackah, BA, LL.B.

Founder/Managing Lawyer

Ms. Ackah is passionate about immigration law because it focuses on people and relationships, which are at the core of her personal values. Starting her legal career as a corporate/commercial ...

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I learned about Ackah Law while I was visiting my then-boyfriend in Canada, and our search consisted of the best law firms closest to us and I chose Ackah law because the smile that popped up was so inviting. Despite the wait in process time which the firm has no control over, our immigration process was smooth sailing; everyone was so professional and attentive in answering all our questions. A special thank you to Gurbhajneek Singh, Samra and Rizalie Ganelo, who I had the most contact with, and also to Evelyn Ackah, who is the mentor to this amazing staff. I would definitely recommend Ackah Law to anyone wishing to have a trustworthy firm that will do its best in ensuring a successful process.

M.S.

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