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Understanding Your Rights Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act: A Deep Dive into Appeals, Judicial Review, and Protection of Information
The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) is Canada’s principal law regulating immigration and refugee matters. Understanding this complex legislation is essential for anyone dealing with Canada’s immigration system. Here at LexLords Canada Immigration Lawyers, we aim to simplify these complexities for you.
Appeals Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
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Right of Appeal
Under the IRPA, individuals may appeal certain immigration decisions to the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB). This includes refusal of sponsorship applications, removal orders, residency obligation failure, etc.
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Limitations on the Right of Appeal
A fundamental exclusion from appeal are cases concerning serious criminality, security issues, human or international rights violations, and organized criminality.
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Case Law: Chieu v. Canada
This case acts as a legal benchmark in defining “serious criminality”. Convictions where a term of imprisonment of at least two years has been imposed fall under this category.
Judicial Review Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
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Federal Court’s Jurisdiction
The Federal Court can review decisions, orders, or any other administrative actions taken under the IRPA.
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Leave and Judicial Review
An application for leave and judicial review is the process of seeking permission from the Federal Court to review a decision made by an immigration officer or tribunal.
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Case Law: Vavilov v. Canada
The Vavilov case modified the standard of review framework in administrative law, including judicial reviews under the IRPA. The court’s scrutiny intensity depends on the context, thus moving away from the previous ‘reasonableness’ standard.
Protection of Information Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
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Confidentiality Provisions
IRPA ensures strict confidentiality of information pertaining to individuals who seek protection in Canada.
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Disclosure of Information
The IRPA provides specific instances where the disclosure of confidential information is permissible. This includes circumstances serving Canadian national interests or the enforcement of the Act.
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Case Law: Canada v. Harkat
In this case, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of IRPA’s secrecy provisions in relation to security certificates, validating the Act’s balance between national security and individual rights.
Understanding your rights under the IRPA can be a challenging task. It is advisable to consult with a reputable immigration lawyer, such as LexLords Canada Immigration Lawyers, to analyze your unique circumstances and guide you appropriately. Their years of experience can help you navigate through the Canadian immigration legal system effectively.