Asylum in US or Canada

[abdoush]

Hi all, just looking for an advise.

I'm 40 years old man holding Palestinian travel document issued in Lebanon, Married with 2 kids (7yrs and 9 yrs), I live in Dubai and being jobless for almost a year, I have more than 15 years of IT experience, I can't live in Lebanon and i have to cancel my visa in UAE, so I was considering flying to the US and apply for Asylum or refugee there (I do have a visa and can fly there).

My questions are:

1- shall I apply for asylum in US or Canadian borders?
2- for kids schooling, health ...etc is the US better or Canada?
3- assume I decided to go to Canadian borders, how is the treatment there for the families? how long will it take us to be in Canada and not at borders?
4- will I be choosing where to stay or the government will decide?
5- do I need to have cash with me? if yes, how much will be enough?
6- what is the benefits I'll get once my asylum got approved?
7- when I'll be able to work?

I have lots of questions running through my head, so more advises might be helpful.

thanks

 

[Buletruck]

1. Unless you have family in Canada, you will need to apply for assylum in the US, as the Safe third country provision would take effect if you don’t. That would result in you being returned to the US. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/agreements/safe-third-country-agreement.html
2. It’s probably a toss up. Both have good levels of service and program. 6 of one, half a dozen of the other.
3. The treatment is reasonable. You can expect to spend several hours initially at the boarder. There is a possibility you might be detained, but generally, unless they perceive you as a risk, you will probably be handed off to a refugee organization after the initial review.
4. Tough to say. With the recent influx of refugees from Haiti, the system is overloaded. They have been housing some families, but if you can afford your own accommodation, I would expect they will let you stay in them.
5. If you have resources, you are expected to use them to assist with your relocation.
6. You get to live in Canada. You will be given a notice for an appeal hearing at the border to review your case and determine if you are a refugee. Expect that to be delayed anywhere from 18-24 months.
7. Once they have accepted your claim.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees.html

 

[abdoush]

1. Unless you have family in Canada, you will need to apply for assylum in the US, as the Safe third country provision would take effect if you don’t. That would result in you being returned to the US. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/agreements/safe-third-country-agreement.html
2. It’s probably a toss up. Both have good levels of service and program. 6 of one, half a dozen of the other.
3. The treatment is reasonable. You can expect to spend several hours initially at the boarder. There is a possibility you might be detained, but generally, unless they perceive you as a risk, you will probably be handed off to a refugee organization after the initial review.
4. Tough to say. With the recent influx of refugees from Haiti, the system is overloaded. They have been housing some families, but if you can afford your own accommodation, I would expect they will let you stay in them.
5. If you have resources, you are expected to use them to assist with your relocation.
6. You get to live in Canada. You will be given a notice for an appeal hearing at the border to review your case and determine if you are a refugee. Expect that to be delayed anywhere from 18-24 months.
7. Once they have accepted your claim.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/refugees.html

Thanks a million for your response, its great info.

I do have 2 of my cousins, will that help?

how long it usually take for them to accept a claim?

 

[Buletruck]

It does list aunts and uncles and nephew/niece as acceptable family, but nothing about cousins. They may feel the seperation is too great in the bloodlines. Best to confirm with an immigration lawyer.

Processing times are approaching 30 months for the entire refugee process. Again, 18 months for the first stage which is acceptance of your claim.

 

[canuck78]

Processing times might be a bit longer. First you have to get asylum which may take up to 2 years at this point. Then you need to apply for PR which keeps getting longer. Was at 24 months but could have easily moves to 30 months. Do you have TRV for your family to enter either Canada or the US?

 

[abdoush]

so just to clear things, step by step:
1- Claiming Asylum at the boarders
2- Asylum registered
3- Court Hearing (optimistically 18-24 months)
4- if hearing approved, then apply for PR
5- Canadian passport (another 24 months)

so in which phase I'll be allowed to work and kids can go to school?

Processing times might be a bit longer. First you have to get asylum which may take up to 2 years at this point. Then you need to apply for PR which keeps getting longer. Was at 24 months but could have easily moves to 30 months. Do you have TRV for your family to enter either Canada or the US?

yes i do have US TRV for me and family.

 

[vensak]

this part is wrong in your timeline:

4. PR (takes up to 24 months, this is very individual)
5. Citizenship (soonest 3 years after becoming PR, depends on your travelling outside Canada).