U.S. President Trump’s plan to end DACA could lead to an influx of ‘Dreamers’ to Canada, according to some immigration experts. Former President Obama implemented the DACA - Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals - program prevent young people brought to the U.S. illegally as children from being deported. Over 70% of the people, called 'Dreamers', are Mexican and are 16-35 years old. The U.S. Congress has six months to make a decision on how to manage the DACA program.
According to The Globe and Mail,
Latest statistics from the Immigration and Refugee Board show a dramatic increase in asylum requests from Mexicans. In 2016, for example, 242 Mexicans applied for refugee status. Almost three times as many – 660 – such claims were recorded in the first seven months of this year alone.
Part of the increase stems from Canada's decision to lift a visa requirement last December, making it easier for Mexicans to come to Canada and claim asylum here.
Calgary immigration lawyer Evelyn Ackah believes some DACA Dreamers may qualify to immigrate to Canada based on their education and work history:
Many well-educated, talented and creative people want to move to our country to work or start a business that will improve our economy and create jobs. Adult Dreamers who want to immigrate to Canada may qualify for a work permit, study permit or intra-company transfer. I look forward to working with DADA Dreamers who want to move from the U.S. to Canada and help build our economy and country. Qualifying to immigrate to Canada is not easy: our immigration system focuses on family reunification and building our economy.
Dreamers and Canada Immigration Requirements
Canada's immigration system prioritizes family reunification, skilled temporary workers, and facilitates economic innovation and growth in the country. Most Dreamers speak fluent English because they were raised in the United States. Most Dreamers do not meet Canada's asylum qualifications because they would be immigrating from the U.S., not their home country, and would not be able to meet the requirement of fear from persecution. In order to move to Canada, the best options for Dreamers to move to Canada are three different immigration programs:
1. Work Permits:
Many of the adults will have work experience and understand North American work culture. Work permits are required for foreign nationals who want to work during their time in Canada. These are issued by IRCC and give authorization for someone to work legally in Canada. Express entry system is Canada's skilled-worker immigration application system, launched in January 2015, to attract high-skilled foreign workers and former international students who want to live in Canada permanently and whose in-demand skills are needed by employers across the country.
2. Study Permits:
Dreamers who want to move to Canada for education will require study permits to attend school. Generally, a foreign national who intends to study in Canada for 6 months or less, does not require a study permit. If the period of study is for more than 6 months, you will require a Canadian study permit.This is a document available only after a college, university, or other accredited educational institution has accepted you. Study permits are only available for those accepted to schools designated to accept international students.
3. Intra-Company Transfers:
DACA people working already working for U.S. companies that have Canadian branches or subsidiaries and want to relocate to Canada will require a temporary work permit, and may qualify for an intra-company transfer to Canada. IRCC states that employers who hire qualifying foreign workers through the "International Mobility Programs" do not require an LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment).
