Joint CRS/RLL Seminar: Deporting Refugees: Hidden Injustice in Canada

Kathryn Tomko Dennler, Research Affiliate with the Centre for Refugee Studies and with the Refugee Law Lab at York University

Brianna Garneau, PhD candidate in Socio-legal Studies and affiliated with the Centre for Refugee Studies at York University

Abstract: Deportation laws, policies, and procedures impact the human rights of people who fear persecution. However, there is little information on whether people who are deported are harmed upon return, meaning the effects of deportation are largely invisible. Drawing on data obtained through Access to Information requests, as well as on interviews with legal representatives and support organizations, we argue that diffuse decision-making and the power of the state to manipulate timelines make deportations difficult to navigate and reduce the likelihood that level of risk determines who is allowed to stay in Canada. Nonetheless, non-cooperation with deportation is portrayed as a “threat” and CBSA operates without independent oversight. We further argue that the CBSA mandate and structure allow, and can even incentivize, misconduct by CBSA officers. In addition to presenting our report on the deportation process, we will also launch a data repository on the Refugee Law Lab website, hosting the Access to Information data about deportations that we obtained.

Location:

Zoom: https://yorku.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUqcuyhrDotH9cTYBCLb3Pk570Li_ro_MvS

In person: 626 Kaneff Tower, York University, Keele campus