To be honest, I'm not sure I advocate totally open borders where its just a rubberstamp and you're in. Canada needs to retain its sovereignty and I support that very much.
Yet, sir, you disagree when I make that argument.
But the process has to be rational. An American should be able to apply for a work permit, even without a job, and have it approved for a specified period of time. So long as a criminal background check comes up clean, it should be approved, no questions asked. During the time an American immigrant on a temporary work permit is living in Canada, they should make an effort to find employment, prove they intend to stay, and then apply for permanent residency.
A permanent application, if applied for, should be processed within a reasonable 3-6 months so long as the paperwork is in order (FBI security clearance in hand, references from employers, bank statements proving income and stability).
I highly agree....the caveat being, that there should be reciprocity from the US government with regards to Canadians seeking employment and residency in the US. That's tends to be how these things work internationally.
The current process is insane, and I don't like the "new" process the Conservatives just put in place. Gives officers the right to reject applications at will before even reviewing them. That's certainly going to speed the process up, but it makes it far less fair. They are basically making an unfair system even more unfair in the name of speeding up applications. I welcome the speed, I cringe at the thought my application wouldn't even be considered.
That's your take on it. The process has always been exactly the same. I have a close friend who is an immigration officer and he has not detailed any changes. Neither have my liaison contacts at border services. All the Conservatives have done is codify all the unwritten rules that CBSA and Immigration Canada personnel followed.
These rules are in place to ensure security. For example, LA gang members usually tattoo an area code on their wrist. A sharp eyed CBSA agent would probably deny entry to an individual who had said markings. Likewise, for example, if they believe you will overstay. Showing up with nobody to pick you up at the airport or no address of a friend in Canada is usually a good indicator of this. These practices and policies are not political. They are there to ensure the sovereignty of Canada and the protection of Canadian citizens. And its no different than that followed by many other countries including the US.
There should be a process, it shouldn't just be someone goes across the border and instantly has access. But the process needs to be reasonable, today it is not reasonable.
Again, your opinion. I grew up in the Middle East. Try getting into one of their countries....you'll find that the Canadian immigration officer is much more reasonable and personable and far more willing to assist you. According to my contacts, Canadian immigration officers always give the traveller the benefit of the doubt when it comes to entry on site. It's pretty much up to someone to really disqualify themselves....see above for examples.
The Canadian government only accepts about 2,000 Americans a year out of the 250,000 to 300,000 people it accepts any given year. That's a very low percent.
First, I would suspect that this has more to do with the number of American applicants. When a US citizen can work here under a variety of visas (particularly under NAFTA), and retain residency for long periods of time, there will likely be little incentive to actually seek permanent residency. Second, while 2000 out of 250 000 may seem low, given that the US population is only about 5% of the global population, if there is a quota, the US wouldn't be entitled to that much. But the numbers do seem a tad low. Agreed. And thankfully, there is no quota, we simply take the best.
I mean come on, being protectionist against Americans who want to genuinely become Canadian citizens isn't helping anyone. And vice versa, I believe Canadians who are disenchanted with Canadian life should feel free to move south.
That's your assertion. I highly doubt that the Government of Canada has any protectionist practices or attitudes towards US citizens. If anything, the government goes out of its way to assist Americans. Heck, they created a whole new category (visas under NAFTA) just for US and Mexican citizens. And the time spent under those visas can even be credited towards citizenship.
Immigration from the US would only strengthen Canadian sovereignty, because virtually every American I know who wants to move north wants to do so because of a purpose, or a series of reasons. Its anything BUT trying to make Canada more "American". People want to go from the US to Canada because they are generally unhappy with the US so I don't see what the threat over sovereignty is.
I would argue that being swamped by immigrants from any particular part of the world would damage Canadian sovereignty and Canada's nature. But I would concur with your assertion that most Americans who move to Canada move here to take on our values.
As for people being unhappy in the US....like I pointed out before, that's for you guys to sort out at the ballot box. I am no fan of Bush, but were he elected here I would be campaigning against his policies not abandoning my fellow citizens by jumping ship. WRT unhappy Americans moving to Canada, again I say come one come all, as long as you meet the criteria that our government has laid out as the law of this land.
Coming back to my point on the US deserters, I stand by my assertion that they do not qualify for residency under our laws and should be deported. And I firmly believe that accepting them would not be in Canada's best interest. Our refugee and immigration policies have not been crafted in response to US foreign policy. If an American kid decides to join the US Armed Forces, get sent to a conflict that the US is embroiled in, doesn't like it and wants out, how is that the business of Canada? I suggest he seek redress through the courts in the US, and failing that, agitate politically for a change in the country's political situation. But, please leave Canada out of it.
