March 2010
It boggles my mind how CBSA agents can suddenly become the bad guys just because they are enforcing Canada’s immigration laws (Border agents criticized for entering shelter, March 8, 2010). I think it is pretty galling that Toronto Rape Crisis Centre spokesman Deborah Singh can say that CBSA agents are harassing women. If you are ordered deported, and you go into hiding to escape deportation, you are breaking the law and you are a criminal. It’s not harassment; it’s called upholding the laws of Canada and the decisions of our courts.
Especially galling is Bernadette Dondo’s (of Nellies Women’s Shelter) statement that, “The last thing we need is the bullies from CBSA barging in to re-traumatize them.” I’m quite sure that the CBSA agents didn’t come marching into the shelter like Nazi Stormtroopers, treating everyone like doggy-do-do. Like all peace officers, they are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner. I’m sorry to hear that the women Dondo sees are recovering from trauma, but that is no excuse for hiding from the lawful authorities. Being traumatized and being an illegal immigrant are two different issues.
Maybe if all immigration applicants kept the CBSA advised of their current residence, reported to immigration court when required and immediately turned themselves into deportation centres when their applications are denied, then maybe CBSA agents wouldn’t have to come into a shelter looking for them, or using other tactics that, while lawful, may come across as heavy handed. Women’s shelters shouldn’t be used when you want to avoid a lawful deportation order.
