htraboul said:
To the lebanese french readers :
http://www.atlasmedias.com/2011/09/au-moins-500-libanais-pourraient-perdre-la-citoyennete-canadienne/
this is the English version of the above newspaper:
At least 500 Lebanese could lose citizenship
Published September 20, 2011
Two thousand naturalized, including 500 Lebanese, could lose their Canadian citizenship fraudulently obtained. Canada is continuing its investigation and revocations may be even more numerous.
Since 29 June, many Lebanese in Canada are worried. For them the beginning of a new episode of the series of black survey conducted by the Government of Canada against immigrants. Black, because it calls into question the naturalization of Lebanese and other immigrants who have obtained citizenship fraudulently, without having lived in Canada under the Canadian immigration law. Those concerned with the vast majority, according to information from L'Orient-Le Jour, dealt with immigration consultant Lebanese-Canadian, Nizar Zakka, who says the Canadian Press, Montreal has always, quite legally, after being sentenced in January to pay the tax in Quebec, Revenu Québec, a fine of 1.7 million Canadian dollars.
On June 29, 2011, we announced in a page of L'Orient-Le Jour, Ottawa plans to remove the Canadian to a number of Lebanese who had obtained improperly. We also noted that in this context, Canada has submitted a dossier to the Lebanese judicial authorities. Information we had then sent our diplomatic correspondent, Khalil Fuleihan. But nothing has filtered through the number of people affected by this decision, the identity of such persons or the measures taken by Canadian authorities to stop these fraudulent practices.
A number that is expected to increase
Immediately contacted by us for more information, the Canadian Department of Immigration, called Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), just to follow up our incessant demands. It must be said that the case has caused a stir in Canada during the summer, the Canadian media have announced far loudly, with supporting figures, without pointing the Lebanese in particular.
The Government of Canada "about 2000 people suspected" of having fraudulently "obtained citizenship by false representation about their residence in Canada (...) while they spent most or all of their time to abroad, "says the email spokesman for the ICC, Nancy Caron. "This number should increase as the ongoing investigations will advance," she says. A figure higher than in July, when the Canadian Minister of Immigration, Jason Kenney, had told the Canadian Press Ottawa was prepared to withdraw citizenship to 1,800 persons. Ms. Caron adds that "each of these issues will be examined in order to proceed with the revocation of citizenship, if the evidence permits." And note that in cases where children have been naturalized citizenship could be revoked if their parents have it through a "fraudulent actions."
The spokesman did not specify the number of Lebanese affected by this. It merely states that "cases identified involve people from over 100 countries" and that "among these people, there are Lebanese nationals."
2500 Lebanese still under investigation?
These figures reflect the reality really? Do they not far below the number of confirmed cases or study?
According to information from L'Orient-Le Jour, 500 Lebanese would most likely withdraw their citizenship obtained by fraud. In addition, the records of 2,500 other Lebanese are being considered by Canadian authorities. This shows the extent of the investigation and the reason for the slow pace of Canadian authorities. Slow criticized by many Lebanese living in Canada who have been withdrawing their health insurance card, freeze the provincial tax returns or even suspend the renewal of their permanent resident card, simply because they are under investigation.
As for the procedure followed by the Canadian government, it is, says Nancy Caron, to examine individually "each case where there is suspicion of fraud in citizenship." The charge of relations with the media ensures that the department shall not commence "proceedings to revoke citizenship only if the evidence warrants it." In addition, she continues, "there must be reasonable grounds to believe that the person obtained citizenship through fraud, misrepresentation and concealment of material circumstances." There must also have "strong evidence in this regard." It also explains, about the cover-up, the person may "knowingly concealing information that could affect the admissibility of the application for citizenship or permanent residency."
30 days to appeal
How are then contacted those affected by the revocation? "If the evidence is sufficient, a notice of intent to revoke citizenship is sent to the person," said Ms. Caron, noting that this opinion, which "is the first step of the procedure for revocation of citizenship," " sets out the basic allegations against the person. " But anyone who has received a notice may exercise its "right to due process of law" and bring the case within 30 days, the Federal Court after service of the initial notice. In other words, they can call.
Persons residing in Lebanon and whose citizenship would be revoked should they, get their opinion through the Canadian Embassy, according to our information. Moreover, "no files have been submitted to the Lebanese judicial authorities," the ministry said, in response to information published in our columns on June 29.
If fraud residence and citizenship is a global problem, as stated by the Canadian Department of Immigration, it is nonetheless considered a serious problem by Canadian authorities. Only 66 people have had their citizenship revoked since 1977, all nationalities, says Nancy Caron. But it seems that today the authorities have decided to move up a gear.
With the aim to punish offenders, but also to deter potential fraudsters, the Canadian government has recently established a "line of any information or suspected fraud in citizenship can be reported," said the communications officer . Ottawa does not hesitate to encourage informers, urging the population living in Canada or residing abroad, to report any "person who would pretend to live in Canada to meet the residency requirement for entitlement to citizenship. " And the phone through the Call Centre by email or from the Canadian visa. Something as unpopular questionable.
