By Canadian Press

Hangover from discriminatory policies may still be felt by Roma refugees: advocates

Apr 5, 2023 | 2:55 PM

OTTAWA — Roma advocates say discriminatory policies meant to keep people from making what a former immigration minister called “bogus” refugee claims have a lingering effect on families fleeing persecution.

A Romani family of four recently drowned in the St. Lawrence River during an attempt to make it to the United States, after their lawyer let them know they were to be deported back to Romania.

Their bodies and those of four other migrants were found near Akwesasne, Que., last week.

The tragedy is calling attention to historic prejudices against Romani refugee claimants in Canada’s immigration system, including relatively recent changes instituted to crack down on what the government believed were illegitimate claims.

In 2012, Stephen Harper’s Conservative government created a list of countries deemed “safe” — including Hungary, the source of a spike in claims from Romani people — and limited the ability of asylum seekers from those countries to appeal their cases.

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Jen Danch, an advisory member with the Canadian Romani Alliance, says even though those policies were ended and Roma refugee claims are more likely to be accepted, the policies likely have a lasting affect on decision-makers. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 5, 2023.

The Canadian Press