Temporary workers in Canada didn’t have proper work permits
Three temporary workers in Canada are facing deportation for accidentally overstaying their temporary work permits. The three workers are being called the “Three Amigos” in their small community, and the three amigos were working for over a hear and a half in Alberta until the poor economy caused them to be laid off.
Later, they found work in Manitoba at a similar job and were eventually arrested in the summer for working illegally, stopping the flow of money they were sending back home to support their families. According to the three, the Federal government took their passports and arrested them because their work permit didn’t allow for changing employment.
The workers were told that their employer would take care of any immigration paperwork needed for them to begin working in Manitoba, but instead they were taken advantage of.
Temporary workers in Canada should seek help
The three amigos will have to wait until Thursday for their hearing, to see if they will be allowed to stay in Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. Otherwise, they may be facing deportation and won’t have the opportunity to appeal. After they were arrested they paid $1,500 to an immigration consultant to help them, but nothing happened.
Temporary workers in Canada should not rely on their employers to take care of any immigration paperwork or other obligations and should instead seek the advice of a licensed immigration lawyer. While the employers do have some responsibilities, it is the temporary workers in Canada who will be facing the severe consequences of improperly-filled out paperwork or expired permits. However, soon employers as well will also be liable for non-compliance.
Intake
President & CEO
Michael Niren
Mr. Niren is CEO of VisaPlace LLC and the President and Managing Partner of VisaPlace Legal Canada, an immigration law firm based in Toronto, and VisaPlace Legal US a law firm registered in The District of Columbia, USA. Mr. Niren is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto, a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association’s Citizenship and Immigration Section, American Lawyers Association, and an Associate Member of the American Bar Association.
