Calgary legal guidance immigration program.

• Author: Schroeder, Keri

Navigating the complex web of immigration laws in Canada can be a challenging task for even the most seasoned legal counsel. Now imagine trying to steer through these complex processes alone, after arriving in a foreign country with little money and limited English skills. With cuts to Legal Aid, drastic legislative reforms and very few services for those newcomers with limited financial means, it is a near impossible task for many recent immigrants. In many cases, proceeding without legal advice or guidance can have devastating consequences.

Recognizing the need to provide pro-bono legal services to low-income immigrants and refugees, Calgary Legal Guidance (CLG) started a new immigration program in March 2012. Since opening our doors, the immigration project has assisted several hundred clients and families with a variety of immigration and refugee issues. CLG's mandate goes beyond providing only summary advice, which often sets us apart from many other poverty law immigration programs.

All too often, a person fleeing persecution has a compelling story and a legitimate claim, but loses at their hearing due to poor preparation or a misunderstanding of what evidence is needed. A significant component of the program is refugee work. We have represented refugee claimants fleeing persecution in their home country at hearings before the Immigration and Refugee Board. It is extremely important for those seeking refugee status to receive as much assistance as possible in preparing for their hearings, because the legal requirements to be considered as a Convention Refugee are onerous and difficult for the layperson to understand. All too often, persons fleeing persecution has a compelling story and a legitimate claim, but loses at their hearings due to poor preparation or a misunderstanding of what evidence is needed. For this reason, CLG is committed to ensuring that any client who comes through our doors wanting to make a refugee claim is provided with as much information and preparation for the hearing as possible, even if we cannot provide full representation for the hearing.

We have also prepared Federal Court applications, and assisted with applications for permanent residence, work permits and temporary resident visas. For those clients without a clear path to permanent residence, such as failed refugee claimants and victims of domestic violence whose partners have withdrawn their spousal sponsorship applications, we have filed several...