Time to revise our immigration laws?
LETTERS
With all the controversy in the news lately about immigrants and refugees from the Middle East and North Africa, with extremists ranting on both sides of the issue, we need to focus on the real problem. It’s not about religion or race, it’s about right and wrong.
Freedomhouse.com recently stated that women in Somalia face considerable discrimination. Although outlawed, nearly all Somali girls undergo some form of genital mutilation. Sexual violence is rampant due to lawlessness and impunity for perpetrators. There are countless reports of violations of women’s human rights and atrocities committed between differing religious groups in the Middle East.
The proper description of these offenders would not be Muslim or Islamic but simply criminals; they may claim they are somehow righteous in their actions but they are still just criminals.
Rightfully Canadians are concerned that some of those trying to enter Canada are the ones who support or participate in these crimes and human rights violations. In October 2015, DHS director Matthew Emrick reported to congress that Syria has no records to investigate and little information to properly vet people from that country entering the U.S. If the U.S. intelligence organizations are unable to screen these immigrants and refugees, then Canadian officials would be in a similar situation.
Therefore, to expect Canadian immigration to successfully separate the good from the bad with unreliable or nonexistent information is unrealistic. I would suggest a possible different solution — change the laws regarding immigration and citizenship for people entering from any country. Immigrants would have the same rights and protection that we all enjoy, but in the case of serious human rights violations or criminal activity, the citizenship would be revoked and the offender deported.
I’m sure politicians and lawyers would give us a number of excuses why this can’t be done, but if Canadians were to choose by a referendum, then those changes should be made. If the situation is not corrected, could we be jeopardizing Canada as one of the best places in the world to live? If you think this couldn’t happen, I urge you to familiarize yourself with the crime problem in Sweden. I believe that if asked, the majority of Canadians would agree that foreign criminals do not deserve the privilege of Canadian citizenship.
Tim Hankey
Lethbridge