This is the conclusion of a case previously reported. Apparently these individuals filed many citizenship applications for people in the Middle East who pretended to be in Canada to qualify for citizenship.
ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE Door Closes on Citizenship Scam
December 5, 2011 12:23 PM
Door Closes on Citizenship Scam
MILTON, ON, Dec. 5, 2011 /CNW/ - On Wednesday, November 30th, 2011, Ahmad Mustapha EL-AKHAL (age 64) of Montreal, Quebec, appeared at the Brampton Ontario Courthouse where he pleaded guilty to three (3) separate charges under the Criminal Code, the Citizenship Act, and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act of Canada.
Ahmad Mustapha EL -AKHAL received a jail sentence for three (3) years concurrent on each charge. Hussam Hassan Ali SAIF (age 45) also an accused in this case, received a conditional sentence on September 15th, 2011. During the investigation $150,000.00 was seized and ordered forfeited by the Court.
This investigation began in 2008 from allegations made by Citizenship and Immigration Canada stating that several individuals were using addresses of convenience to show they resided in Canada while they were actually living in the Middle East.
The charges resulted from a joint investigation between the RCMP Greater Toronto Area Immigration & Passport Section and the RCMP Greater Toronto Area Commercial Crime Section in partnership with Citizenship and Immigration Canada and the Canada Revenue Agency.
Identity fraud is an increasing problem in Canada, draining millions of government tax dollars every year. The RCMP is working closely with other Canadian and international law enforcement agencies, and with public and private sector partners, to fight this growing trend.
Anyone wishing to report information regarding criminal activity can contact your nearest RCMP Detachment by calling 1-800-387-0020 . Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS .
For further information:
Cpl. Blair J. Kelly
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
A/ Media Relations Coordinator - "O" Division
(613) 384-2750 Ext. 229
Showing posts with label Canada immigration border biometrics CBSA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Canada immigration border biometrics CBSA. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
KENNEY ASKS CBSA TO GO AFTER MARRIAGE FRAUD
Right now, marriage fraud investigations are a very low priority for CBSA given lack of resources. Why not allow victims or those who have information on marriage fraud have a specific, wll publicized complaint process where they can file a form to set the process in motion? It should be very simple if the estranged spouse is the victim.
CBSA urged to act on marriage fraud complaints - Politics - CBC News
CBSA urged to act on marriage fraud complaints - Politics - CBC News
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
COURT FINES EDMONTON COMPANY OVER ILLEGALS
Edmonton company fined for foreign workers - Edmonton - CBC News
Edmonton company fined for foreign workers
CBC News
Posted: Oct 25, 2011 2:50 PM MT
Last Updated: Oct 25, 2011 2:41 PM MT
An Edmonton company was fined for hiring foreign workers without authorization, according to the Canada Border Services Agency.
Empire Drywall pleaded guilty Tuesday in Edmonton Provincial Court to four counts of employing temporary foreign workers lacking proper authorization.
They were fined $9,000 for each count, totaling $36,000.
The Canada Border Services Agency — responsible for investigating people in violation of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act — launched an investigation on the Empire Drywall in Sept. 2008.
This was the biggest imposed fine in the province since 2006.
Edmonton company fined for foreign workers
CBC News
Posted: Oct 25, 2011 2:50 PM MT
Last Updated: Oct 25, 2011 2:41 PM MT
An Edmonton company was fined for hiring foreign workers without authorization, according to the Canada Border Services Agency.
Empire Drywall pleaded guilty Tuesday in Edmonton Provincial Court to four counts of employing temporary foreign workers lacking proper authorization.
They were fined $9,000 for each count, totaling $36,000.
The Canada Border Services Agency — responsible for investigating people in violation of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act — launched an investigation on the Empire Drywall in Sept. 2008.
This was the biggest imposed fine in the province since 2006.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
COURT CLEARS WAY FOR HUGE COSTS AGAINST MAN WHO LIED ON CITIZENSHIP APPLICATION
This is a first, and perhaps the harbinger of things to come.
The cost of being stripped of citizenship News National Post
The cost of being stripped of citizenship
Adrian Humphreys Oct 10, 2011 – 9:40 PM ET Last Updated: Oct 10, 2011 10:09 PM ET
An accused war criminal who abused prisoners in Bosnia-Herzegovina during the Balkan war before moving to B.C. has been ordered to pay Canada the substantial costs of stripping him of his Canadian citizenship, part of the government’s aggressive stance against those involved in foreign atrocities found hiding in Canada.
Branko Rogan’s past emerged after the wife of a former inmate bumped into him by chance at a Burnaby mall in 1996 after both families immigrated to Canada. Huso Hadzic then confirmed his identity and phoned the RCMP.
“I had to do something,” Mr. Hadzic told court earlier, “I am not going to see him here enjoying this beautiful country.”
Mr. Rogan, a Serb, came to Canada from Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1994 and became a Canadian citizen. Mr. Hadzic, a Bosnian Muslim, fled the war-torn area as a refugee and settled in Canada a year before.
The two men had grown up together in the town of Bileca but in 1992, as ethnic tensions exploded in the region, Mr. Hadzic, along with others, were rounded up and imprisoned merely because they were Muslim men. He was held without charge for four months.
Mr. Rogan was a reserve police officer working as a guard where the prisoners were held in inhumane conditions.
“Mr. Rogan was well aware of the fact that prisoners were being subjected to physical abuse, including beatings. Mr. Rogan was directly involved in the physical abuse of prisoners,” Federal Court of Canada Justice Anne Mactavish declared in August.
Mr. Rogan became the first citizenship revocation case for modern war crimes and the government made a compelling argument. But it was an expensive enterprise.
Four former prisoners provided first-hand evidence and a specialist in the history of the former Yugoslavia was brought in from Denmark; Professor Christian Axboe Nielsen had been an officer with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.
Judge Mactavish accepted the government’s evidence, declaring this summer that Mr. Rogan obtained his Canadian citizenship by knowingly concealing material information. That paved the way for the government to withdraw his citizenship, which is needed before deportation.
Now, the government is after Mr. Rogan to pay the costs of pressing the case against him.
He was given a bill for more than $300,000 — including $223,484 in disbursements, $56,505 in legal fees, $21,015 for a researcher, more than $10,000 for transcripts and court services and unspecified travel costs for four government lawyers and translation.
Mr. Rogan remained defiant, accusing the government of spending needlessly. He asked the court to award no costs. He said it was not necessary to bring Prof. Nielsen in to testify, for instance.
Judge Mactavish disagreed, ruling last week: “I was greatly assisted by Dr. Nielsen’s testimony,” and describing it as “invaluable in understanding the roots of the conflict in the former Yugoslavia.” She approved the $14,365 cost of the expert witness as well as the legal fees.
She did strike some items from the bill, however, saying the daily transcription and researcher were not necessary. She also questioned travel to Bosnia for four government lawyers when only two appeared at trial.
“Why are they going after him for all of this?” asked Mr. Rogan’s Vancouver lawyer, Alex Stojicevic, in an interview. “They are stripping him of his citizenship because he lied. All of the rest of this, about what he was lying about, is a side issue.”
He said his client was dismayed by the process.
“He spoke to the RCMP in 1998 about this and essentially admitted as much [about lying],” said Mr. Stojicevic. “It should have ended then, but it took a very, very long time. I think it took him a little bit by surprise when they finally proceeded.”
Part of the delay was because a criminal prosecution of Mr. Rogan was contemplated rather than citizenship revocation.
Canada can criminally prosecute someone in Canada believed to have committed crimes against humanity or war crimes, but it is rare. The easier route is to revoke their right to remain in Canada and deport them, a controversial strategy some say allows them to escape justice.
Despite the success in court, Mr. Rogan remains in Canada with his wife and two children.
“Mr. Rogan remains a citizen unless his citizenship is revoked by the Governor-in-Council,” said Nancy Caron, spokeswoman for Citizenship and Immigration Canada. “The Federal Court hearing is only one step in the process of seeking revocation. I cannot comment on how long this process may take.”
Mr. Stojicevic confirmed that while the court has approved the move, the government has not yet actually revoked his client’s citizenship. If it does, there may be other court appeals, he said.
Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, defended the government’s stance.
“Minister Kenney has been clear: Canadian citizenship is not for sale,” said Candice Malcolm, a spokeswoman for the minister.
“Canadians are generous people, but have no tolerance and no patience for people who don’t play by the rules, who lie or cheat to become a Canadian citizen. Our government will apply the full strength of Canadian law to those who have obtained citizenship fraudulently.”
Despite the fact he remains in Canada, Mr. Rogan’s case is heralded as one of the three “success” stories by the Department of Justice’s Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Program.
National Post
The cost of being stripped of citizenship News National Post
The cost of being stripped of citizenship
Adrian Humphreys Oct 10, 2011 – 9:40 PM ET Last Updated: Oct 10, 2011 10:09 PM ET
An accused war criminal who abused prisoners in Bosnia-Herzegovina during the Balkan war before moving to B.C. has been ordered to pay Canada the substantial costs of stripping him of his Canadian citizenship, part of the government’s aggressive stance against those involved in foreign atrocities found hiding in Canada.
Branko Rogan’s past emerged after the wife of a former inmate bumped into him by chance at a Burnaby mall in 1996 after both families immigrated to Canada. Huso Hadzic then confirmed his identity and phoned the RCMP.
“I had to do something,” Mr. Hadzic told court earlier, “I am not going to see him here enjoying this beautiful country.”
Mr. Rogan, a Serb, came to Canada from Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1994 and became a Canadian citizen. Mr. Hadzic, a Bosnian Muslim, fled the war-torn area as a refugee and settled in Canada a year before.
The two men had grown up together in the town of Bileca but in 1992, as ethnic tensions exploded in the region, Mr. Hadzic, along with others, were rounded up and imprisoned merely because they were Muslim men. He was held without charge for four months.
Mr. Rogan was a reserve police officer working as a guard where the prisoners were held in inhumane conditions.
“Mr. Rogan was well aware of the fact that prisoners were being subjected to physical abuse, including beatings. Mr. Rogan was directly involved in the physical abuse of prisoners,” Federal Court of Canada Justice Anne Mactavish declared in August.
Mr. Rogan became the first citizenship revocation case for modern war crimes and the government made a compelling argument. But it was an expensive enterprise.
Four former prisoners provided first-hand evidence and a specialist in the history of the former Yugoslavia was brought in from Denmark; Professor Christian Axboe Nielsen had been an officer with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia.
Judge Mactavish accepted the government’s evidence, declaring this summer that Mr. Rogan obtained his Canadian citizenship by knowingly concealing material information. That paved the way for the government to withdraw his citizenship, which is needed before deportation.
Now, the government is after Mr. Rogan to pay the costs of pressing the case against him.
He was given a bill for more than $300,000 — including $223,484 in disbursements, $56,505 in legal fees, $21,015 for a researcher, more than $10,000 for transcripts and court services and unspecified travel costs for four government lawyers and translation.
Mr. Rogan remained defiant, accusing the government of spending needlessly. He asked the court to award no costs. He said it was not necessary to bring Prof. Nielsen in to testify, for instance.
Judge Mactavish disagreed, ruling last week: “I was greatly assisted by Dr. Nielsen’s testimony,” and describing it as “invaluable in understanding the roots of the conflict in the former Yugoslavia.” She approved the $14,365 cost of the expert witness as well as the legal fees.
She did strike some items from the bill, however, saying the daily transcription and researcher were not necessary. She also questioned travel to Bosnia for four government lawyers when only two appeared at trial.
“Why are they going after him for all of this?” asked Mr. Rogan’s Vancouver lawyer, Alex Stojicevic, in an interview. “They are stripping him of his citizenship because he lied. All of the rest of this, about what he was lying about, is a side issue.”
He said his client was dismayed by the process.
“He spoke to the RCMP in 1998 about this and essentially admitted as much [about lying],” said Mr. Stojicevic. “It should have ended then, but it took a very, very long time. I think it took him a little bit by surprise when they finally proceeded.”
Part of the delay was because a criminal prosecution of Mr. Rogan was contemplated rather than citizenship revocation.
Canada can criminally prosecute someone in Canada believed to have committed crimes against humanity or war crimes, but it is rare. The easier route is to revoke their right to remain in Canada and deport them, a controversial strategy some say allows them to escape justice.
Despite the success in court, Mr. Rogan remains in Canada with his wife and two children.
“Mr. Rogan remains a citizen unless his citizenship is revoked by the Governor-in-Council,” said Nancy Caron, spokeswoman for Citizenship and Immigration Canada. “The Federal Court hearing is only one step in the process of seeking revocation. I cannot comment on how long this process may take.”
Mr. Stojicevic confirmed that while the court has approved the move, the government has not yet actually revoked his client’s citizenship. If it does, there may be other court appeals, he said.
Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, defended the government’s stance.
“Minister Kenney has been clear: Canadian citizenship is not for sale,” said Candice Malcolm, a spokeswoman for the minister.
“Canadians are generous people, but have no tolerance and no patience for people who don’t play by the rules, who lie or cheat to become a Canadian citizen. Our government will apply the full strength of Canadian law to those who have obtained citizenship fraudulently.”
Despite the fact he remains in Canada, Mr. Rogan’s case is heralded as one of the three “success” stories by the Department of Justice’s Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Program.
National Post
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
BIOMETRIC IDENTFIERS SUPPORTED
This would expedite travel and increase security at the border, a necessary step in these dangerous times.
The Canadian Press: Border workers push for biometric screening in perimeter security plan with U.S.
Border workers push for biometric screening in perimeter security plan with U.S.
By Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press – 10 hours ago
OTTAWA — Canada's front-line border officers back the idea of a perimeter security arrangement with the United States, with a few caveats.
The Customs and Immigration Union wants more intensive screening of travellers, including a biometric face-recognition tool to pinpoint security threats and wanted criminals.
And it's pushing for an end to closures and reduced hours at land-border crossings.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and U.S. President Barack Obama have signed an agreement that could lead to a formal North American security perimeter.
The union's submission, part of a federal consultation on the initiative, was obtained by The Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act. Union president Ron Moran was unavailable Tuesday.
The perimeter arrangement is aimed at expanding joint operations on security while allowing for smoother flow of goods and people across the Canada-U.S. border. The federal government says an ambitious joint-action plan should be ready this summer.
Critics contend a border deal would endanger Canadian sovereignty and federal control of personal information.
The Customs and Immigration Union, however, sees the continental talks as a prime opportunity to implement more stringent screening at the border through new technologies.
The union, which represents Canada Border Services Agency employees, is calling for a system that would match people's faces with images in computer databases to zero in on security threats, criminal fugitives and fraudulent immigration cases.
"While this clearly needs to be done internationally, there is a special need for joint information databases of such persons to be readily available to officers at the Canada-U.S. border," the submission says.
The union's suggestion is consistent with the Canada-U.S. February declaration on the perimeter plan which, though lacking in detail, refers to "combined Canadian and United States screening efforts" and "matching of biometrics that enable the sharing of information on travellers in real time."
The union wants common continental cargo screening at North American entry points so that "suitably screened and secured cargo containers" can be expedited for clearance at the 49th parallel.
It also advocates exit controls — the matching of information about people leaving Canada with databases to identify those wanted on criminal or deportation warrants. The Canada-U.S. declaration envisions such a system, saying the countries will work toward the exchange of information such that "documented entry into one country serves to verify exit from the other country."
The union firmly opposes the recent closure of two small border crossings in Quebec and one in Saskatchewan, along with a reduction in operating hours at four others.
"Such actions compromise domestic security and are contradictory to the joint approach wisely contemplated by the Canada-U.S. agreement at hand," says the submission.
The border agency maintains the moves represent a better use of public money.
The government should direct the border services agency to suspend all closures and reductions while talks with the U.S. continue, says the union.
It also wants a full border agency role in joint Canada-U.S. patrols on waterways, as well as expansion of an experimental Quebec border-patrol initiative to other communities.
The government's online consulation on the perimeter project ends Friday. Some opponents have complained the public cannot meaningfully comment on the plan based on the vague declaration issued in February.
Records recently released to The Canadian Press by the Public Safety Department through the access-to-information law provide little new information about the continental proposal, as dozens of pages have been completely censored.
The Canadian Press: Border workers push for biometric screening in perimeter security plan with U.S.
Border workers push for biometric screening in perimeter security plan with U.S.
By Jim Bronskill, The Canadian Press – 10 hours ago
OTTAWA — Canada's front-line border officers back the idea of a perimeter security arrangement with the United States, with a few caveats.
The Customs and Immigration Union wants more intensive screening of travellers, including a biometric face-recognition tool to pinpoint security threats and wanted criminals.
And it's pushing for an end to closures and reduced hours at land-border crossings.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and U.S. President Barack Obama have signed an agreement that could lead to a formal North American security perimeter.
The union's submission, part of a federal consultation on the initiative, was obtained by The Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act. Union president Ron Moran was unavailable Tuesday.
The perimeter arrangement is aimed at expanding joint operations on security while allowing for smoother flow of goods and people across the Canada-U.S. border. The federal government says an ambitious joint-action plan should be ready this summer.
Critics contend a border deal would endanger Canadian sovereignty and federal control of personal information.
The Customs and Immigration Union, however, sees the continental talks as a prime opportunity to implement more stringent screening at the border through new technologies.
The union, which represents Canada Border Services Agency employees, is calling for a system that would match people's faces with images in computer databases to zero in on security threats, criminal fugitives and fraudulent immigration cases.
"While this clearly needs to be done internationally, there is a special need for joint information databases of such persons to be readily available to officers at the Canada-U.S. border," the submission says.
The union's suggestion is consistent with the Canada-U.S. February declaration on the perimeter plan which, though lacking in detail, refers to "combined Canadian and United States screening efforts" and "matching of biometrics that enable the sharing of information on travellers in real time."
The union wants common continental cargo screening at North American entry points so that "suitably screened and secured cargo containers" can be expedited for clearance at the 49th parallel.
It also advocates exit controls — the matching of information about people leaving Canada with databases to identify those wanted on criminal or deportation warrants. The Canada-U.S. declaration envisions such a system, saying the countries will work toward the exchange of information such that "documented entry into one country serves to verify exit from the other country."
The union firmly opposes the recent closure of two small border crossings in Quebec and one in Saskatchewan, along with a reduction in operating hours at four others.
"Such actions compromise domestic security and are contradictory to the joint approach wisely contemplated by the Canada-U.S. agreement at hand," says the submission.
The border agency maintains the moves represent a better use of public money.
The government should direct the border services agency to suspend all closures and reductions while talks with the U.S. continue, says the union.
It also wants a full border agency role in joint Canada-U.S. patrols on waterways, as well as expansion of an experimental Quebec border-patrol initiative to other communities.
The government's online consulation on the perimeter project ends Friday. Some opponents have complained the public cannot meaningfully comment on the plan based on the vague declaration issued in February.
Records recently released to The Canadian Press by the Public Safety Department through the access-to-information law provide little new information about the continental proposal, as dozens of pages have been completely censored.
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