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Navjeet Sidhu , Social Planning Toronto Metropolis 2014

Accessing community programs and services for non-status immigrants in Toronto: Organizational challenges and responses. Navjeet Sidhu , Social Planning Toronto Metropolis 2014. Access to Education Reports. Community Resource Guides.

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Navjeet Sidhu , Social Planning Toronto Metropolis 2014

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  1. Accessing community programs and services for non-status immigrants in Toronto: Organizational challenges and responses NavjeetSidhu, Social Planning Toronto Metropolis 2014

  2. Access to Education Reports

  3. Community Resource Guides

  4. Online survey sent to approx. 250 community agencies and organizations across the City • Data collection between 2009-2010 • 111 responses collected

  5. Immigration Status Inquiry • 56% did not inquire about a person’s immigration status • 44% did inquire about status

  6. Identification • 50% of respondents indicated requiring forms of I.D. • Immigration documents were most frequently requested

  7. Sharing of status information • 41% would not share status info under any circumstance • 34% would share if safety of a child was at risk • 26% if asked by law enforcement • 7% if person was intending to violate deportation order

  8. Awareness of legal rights • 59% respondents aware of legal rights • 41% did not know or were unsure

  9. Organizational Policies • 71% of organizations had no specific policy in place for non-status service users • 29% did have a policy

  10. Organizational Policies (cont’d) Of those who had no policies: • 66% were interested in developing one

  11. Quotes • “We work with many women who are fleeing abuse. Immigration details are often another way the abuser has victimized the client. We work to assist her to move forward, apply for status and live a life free of violence” • “We have an informal policy of Don't Ask Don't Tell, but we would like to formalize it. This was in response to the high number of non-status persons who came to us in distress, often families with small children, often having been abused as under-the-table workers who did not receive their pay and were left with no food for their children”. • “[Our organization] believes that it must take informed leadership in the community if the Human Rights of all members of the community are to be respected and affirmed. [The organization] affirms and commits to provide services, programs and supports to community members regardless of immigration status”.

  12. Barriers to developing policy • Funding rules and restrictions (38%) • Such a policy was not required at their organization (34%) • Unfamiliarity with the issue (31%) • Unable to handle the possible increase workload/caseload (14%)

  13. Overall barriers/challenges • Difficulties in identifying places to refer service-users (62%) • Lack of resources (61%) • Funding restrictions that prohibit access to services (50%) • Increased workload (39%)

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