Canada Shares Personal Information of Immigrant Applicants with U.S, Comments FWCanada
Montreal, Quebec (PRWEB) October 22, 2013 -- This fall, Canada will launch a new information-sharing system with the United States to strengthen border security by reducing the entrance of fraudulent refugee claimants and foreign criminals into the country. FWCanada comments in this regard that, as long as the new information system is implemented in accordance with privacy regulations in Canada, the increased efficiency promoted by the new information sharing system will benefit Canadian society.
According to Alexis Pavlich, spokesperson for Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Chris Alexander, this new platform "supports mutual efforts to facilitate legitimate travel and protect our common borders through improved screening of visitors before they enter our country."
The proposed information sharing system will replace the current case-by-case information sharing protocol, in which approximately 3,000 cases are exchanged per year. The same proposal also includes the construction of a database designed for exchanging electronic queries on immigration applications, including submissions for temporary resident visas made by non-Canadian or U.S nationals and refugee claimants, will be adopted. According to the Star, it will also create a net benefit of $42 million over the next 10 years.
According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada director Chris Gregory, who is responsible for managing the department's identity and information sharing systems, applications of an estimated 2.2 million foreign nationals to Canada will be checked against American records. He claims that this will uncover more instances of fraudulent activities, such as the usage of false identities to enter Canada, by foreign nationals. Gregory also expects the new system to decrease the volume of immigration related crime and costs of removing foreign nationals by helping to identify inadmissible immigration and refugee claimants.
However, the Canadian government was prompt in pointing out that there will be limits on the information that will be shared for the purpose of not infringing unnecessarily on people’s privacy. The information shared will be limited to the applicant's date of birth, travel document number, and fingerprints. In addition, the sharing of information does not apply to Canadian citizens or permanent residents stated the proposal. The proposal also assures that whenever either country performs a search within the new system, that country will delete the biometric and biographic information sent by the other country, and that a "domestic authority" will be overseeing the process of information sharing.
"Privacy protection is a primary consideration for us, and the limited information exchange will comply with all relevant Canadian laws, including the Privacy Act and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, to ensure that Canadians' privacy rights are protected," claims Pavlich.
About FWCanada:
FWCanada is a Canadian Immigration Law Firm which provides expertise in immigration services such as Temporary Resident Permits, Criminal Rehabilitation, Study Permits and Work Permits. Marisa Feil and her team ensure that each case is closely evaluated to determine the most relevant program. For more information, contact FWCanada at 1-855-316-3555.
Marisa Feil, FWCanada, http://www.canadianimmigration.net/, +1 (855) 316-3555, [email protected]
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