Eroding Client Service and Access to Immigration Lawyers by Canada’s Immigration Department

Immigration lawyer, Ravi Jain recently wrote a piece for the Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association (CILA) blog where he highlighted the critical role of immigration lawyers in guiding clients through complex immigration procedures and underscores recent issues regarding the government’s treatment of immigration lawyers. 

The piece discusses concerns such as restricted access to case management and a lack of transparency in government actions. The closure of the Case Management Branch (CMB) email inbox, which lawyers used to address critical issues, has caused frustration in the legal community. This has been exacerbated by delays in the alternative ‘webform inquiry’ system.

Mr. Jain also points out that the erosion of transparency is not limited to communication channels. Access to information requests for Program Managers’ details at visa offices has been heavily redacted, limiting lawyers’ ability to address urgent matters. This lack of transparency contradicts the government’s promise of openness and trust.

The impact on clients is significant, as lawyers struggle to access vital information, leading to unnecessary delays in immigration processes. Members of Parliament have had to intervene on behalf of their constituents due to the government’s unresponsiveness.

The post offers several recommendations to address these issues:

• Reinstate Open Dialogue: The government should engage immigration lawyers as valuable partners and reinstate communication channels such as the CMB email inbox. Collaborating with immigration lawyers can prevent negative publicity and improve understanding of client needs.

• Recognize Lawyers’ Value: The government should distinguish immigration lawyers from immigration consultants on its website, emphasizing the essential role lawyers play in guiding clients through immigration law complexities.

• Facilitate Access to Counsel: Barriers to hiring immigration lawyers, such as language barriers and vulnerability, should be eliminated. Ensuring accessibility to immigration lawyers is crucial for a fair and just immigration application process.

Mr. Jain also argues that marginalizing immigration lawyers creates unnecessary hurdles for clients and hampers their ability to receive effective representation when navigating the Canadian immigration system. It emphasizes that transparency, recognizing the value of legal counsel, and ensuring access to immigration lawyers are essential for building a more democratic and supportive immigration system that upholds the principles of the rule of law and equality for all.

You can read the whole piece on the CILA website here.