Can you afford Legal Counsel?

1. You will be Removed from Canada • The lawyer will submit your PIF • to the (IRB) Canada • The IRB will mail you one copy • with an official stamp Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and Peace Bridge Newcomer Centre 905-994-6007 You will be Removed From Canada Making a Refugee Claim at the Border Legal Process Can you afford Legal Counsel? Vive la Casa www.vivelacasa.org 50 Wyoming Avenue, Buffalo, New York, USA The IRB will close your case and call it abandoned YES NO NO Prepare and Submit your PIF with your lawyer in 28 days to the IRB • Apply immediately to Legal Aid • for financial assistance • Request an Interpreter • (if you need) • Finger prints • Photographs • Receive the Immigration • and Refugee Board package • Request Interpreter • Questionnaire CIC • Notice to appear Choose a lawyer from the list NO • You Must apply for permanent • residency within 180 days. • You will become a Permanent • Resident within 18 months from • application date Your Hearing or interview with the IRB YES Canadian Resident Permanent residence Positive Decision You are accepted as a Convention Refugee • Documents inside the Immigration • and Refugee Board Package: • Eligibility document (ID) • Notification of hearing • Immigration Medical forms • Interim Federal Health Coverage • List of Doctors • List of Lawyers • New location form • Deportation Order • Personal Information Form (PIF) • Instructions to complete your PIF • Notification of documents • retention • Photocopy of your personal • documents • Record information • Terms and conditions YES Are you eligible for Legal Aid ? YES Negative Decision You may apply to Permanent Residence • Wait for your hearing or interview • with the IRB • They will decide whether your case • will go through an expedited (faster) • process or a full refugee hearing YES • NON GOVERNMENT • ORGANIZATIONS • HELPING REFUGEES • FORT ERIE • Fort Erie Multicultural Centre • 55 Jarvis Street • 905-871-3641 • NIAGARA FALLS • Multicultural Network of Niagara Falls • 5485 Victoria Avenue • 905-356-2249 • WELLAND • Welland Heritage Council and • Multicultural Centre • 26 East Main Street • 905-732-5337 • ST. CATHARINES • Folk Arts Council of St.Catharines • Multicultural Centre • 85 Church Street • 905-685-6589 • HAMILTON • Settlement and Integration Services • Organization (SISO) • 360 James Street North (Liuna Station) • 905-521-9917 • TORONTO • Canadian Red Cross • 2 Homewood Avenue (at Carlton and Jarvis) • 416-771-9540 NO Positive Decision? • You may apply to the Federal • Court for a judicial review • Only your lawyer can represent • you in this proceeding • 15 days decision • Your lawyer will spend time • talking to you and researching about • the conditions in your Country • (Begin researching and building • credibility of your case on your own • by documents, articles, etc…) • The Time depends on your Legal • Aid Certificate, up to 16 hours. • The lawyer will prepare your case • Be sure that your documents are • translated on time. • Your lawyer will prepare you for your • hearing • You have to pay for your own • lawyer • You can appeal the decision NO Humanitarian and Compassionate You may apply at anytime, consult with your Lawyer first Did you receive a Positive decision ? NO YES Positive Decision? Add new proof documents NO You can apply for Permanent residence Pre-removal Risk Assessment YES Prepared by Hugo Silva and Ricardo Castellanos Fort Erie Multicultural Centre January 2005

2. English as a second language or Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) Positive decision from IRB required for LINC program Non-Government Organizations Helping Refugees Housing-Education-Health Applying for Social assistance? (Ontario Works) • RENT CONDITIONS • All inclusive *Bills • included • 2. Bills are not included • in the rent • Gas • Electricity • Water • Emergency fund for : • Rent • Food • Childcare • Start up benefits (1Time only) • You must have a deposit of • first and last months rent. • Some landlords require • references. Some provinces • outside Ontario require • Additional damage deposits • Contact public company's • for additional services. • Phone • Cable • Internet YES • Temporary Shelters: • You must inform the following • of your new address • before 10 days: • the IRB • Immigration • Your lawyer Private housing Housing NO • You must pay for: • All expenses • Housing • Food • Childcare • Chose your apartment • Inform the IRB of your • new address Immigration • and lawyer Before 10 days • Report any change of address • within 10 days to • IRB Canada • CIC Canada • Your legal counsel • Social services • Schools • Public Company’s You must apply to be On their waiting list. No deposit required Government subsidized housing FORT ERIE Fort Erie Multicultural Centre 55 Jarvis Street 905-871-3641 NIAGARA FALLS Multicultural Network of Niagara Falls 5485 Victoria Avenue 905-356-2249 WELLAND Welland Heritage Council and Multicultural Centre 26 East Main Street 905-732-5337 ST. CATHARINES Folk Arts Council of St.Catharines Multicultural Centre 85 Church Street 905-685-6589 HAMILTON Settlement and Integration Services Organization (SISO) 360 James Street North (Liuna Station) 905-521-9917 TORONTO Canadian Red Cross 2 Homewood Avenue (at Carlton and Jarvis) 416-771-9540 *Search for Non-Governmental Organizations in Ontario NOG’s List You may move to a more permanent location • Interim Federal Health • Medical Insurance • Medical test • Medical Care • Emergency coverage for dental care $ 350 CAD Find a Family Doctor Look up list of doctors If you are a Convention Refugee your Health Insurance will change to the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) If you are clear you can apply for a Work Permit Health • You will need to bring: • Eligibility Document (ID) • Medical examination form • 4 pictures of each adult and two • pictures of all children between • zero and ten Immigration Medical Examination In your IRB package is a list of doctors who are designated to perform the medical Schedule an Appointment Immediately You can apply for a SOCIAL INSURANCE NUMER All employers must have This number before they can hire you to work. • Immigration Medical examination is • covered by Interim Federal Health. • Includes Blood Samples, Uri analysis, • X- Rays of your lungs • and a Physical evaluation You may apply for a Health Card In Canada you can study English, and Further your skills to create more opportunities. The choice is up to you College and University (positive decision from IRB Required Employment System Education Catholic School All children are required by law to enroll in school Public School Prepared by Hugo Silva and Ricardo Castellanos Fort Erie Multicultural Centre January 2005