Thank you, Mr. Chair, for the opportunity to appear before you today and to provide you with information on immigration enforcement, in particular how it relates to undocumented workers.
The Canada Border Services Agency is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
Clearly an effective immigration program requires controls. The CBSA's enforcement approach has several layers. As the first layer, migration integrity officers abroad screen documents and persons before they board flights to Canada. Next, border services officers at ports of entry screen those who arrive in Canada. Finally, for those who are already in Canada, inland enforcement officers identify, arrest, detain, and remove those who are inadmissible, including those who work illegally.
Once someone has been found to be inadmissible, they are entitled to various levels of appeal. In addition, those under removal order may apply for a pre-removal risk assessment to ensure that there is no risk to return to their country. Once all avenues of appeal have been exhausted, the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act is clear: a person under removal order must be removed as soon as reasonably practicable.
Controls such as removals ensure that Canada's best interests are taken into consideration in terms of safety and security, the economy, and our humanitarian and family reunification goals. A removals program supports continued compliance and is a deterrent for those who may choose to ignore our laws.
The CBSA prioritizes its removals. The first priority is those who pose a threat to our national security, who are involved in organized crime or crimes against humanity. The next priority is lesser criminality, followed by failed refugee claimants and all inadmissible persons, such as those who work without permission to do so.
The CBSA follows the priority system as closely as it can, but there may be times when a lower priority removal may be processed. For example, when work on higher priority cases has gone as far as it can, officers must move down the priority line. As well, removal priorities can shift, depending on when travel documents or the pre-removal risk assessment decision become available.
Enforcement activity, including removals, is not based on religion, race, nationality, ethnic origin, or gender. The country of nationality or the religion of persons being investigated by CBSA are not considered when deciding to pursue a case. Canada's removal policies are universally applied and do not target such specific groups as illegal workers.
In conclusion, Mr. Chair, the ability to remove inadmissible people is vital to the safety and security of Canada. Any deviation from this practice will act as a draw factor for illegal migration to Canada and will jeopardize the integrity of the immigration program.
Thank you.