
Marlene

Jul 15, 2009, 4:34 PM
Post #3 of 38
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Re: [gpkisner] Calling all Canadians...
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Yes, I can confirm that my husband was also most annoyed and offended when we first heard the news yesterday. It came as a bit of a shock. After we did some checking on the facts, as reported on the Canadian government website, he was in full agreement with the decison. It boils down to a VERY serious abuse of the Canadian Refugee program. It seems many "unscrupulous operativos" in Mexico were taking money in exchange for coaching on how to apply for refugee status in Canada. How convenient. The numbers are staggering. There were 9,400 refugee claims from Mexicans last year and in the first half of this year it was up yet another 50%. This has been going on for at least 5 years, and escalating. Each refugee claim costs the Canadian taxpayer $29,000 dollars and only 11 % of the claims were approved. The system has become extremely bogged down for legitimate refugee claims. Canada and Mexico have been aware of, and discussing, this situation for quite some time. Mexico will not do any retaliating. It's a shame, because now each and every Mexican entering Canada needs a "temporary resident" visa including my husband of 8 years. Tourism in Canada will suffer as a result, since Mexican tourists love Canada, but the door was slammed shut with no real warning at the start of summer tourist season. My husband will immediately apply for his multi-entry visa, good for 5 years, but he expects a huge wait because the Embassy in Mexico City is inundated. That said, the process will be still be easier and cheaper for Mexicans than obtaining a US tourist visa. It can be sent in by mail or courier service.
(This post was edited by Marlene on Jul 15, 2009, 5:00 PM)
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