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ARTICLE · 23 AUGUST 2016

Government Guidelines To Detect Sham Marriages Are Racist and Discriminatory

Immigration.ca
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Federal government guidelines from 2007 on how to spot a genuine marriage are racist and discriminatory.

CanadaImmigration
Colin Singer
Colin Singer
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Federal government guidelines from 2007 on how to spot a genuine marriage are racist and discriminatory.

A list of potential red flags for immigration officers includes 'Chinese nationals ... marrying non-Chinese' and if the 'sponsor is uneducated, with a low-paying job or on welfare'.

The three-page document has since become defunct as the spousal sponsorship process was changed, but it offers an insight into the thinking of immigration officials.

Read the document here.

As part of the spousal sponsorship process, couples are asked to send pictures of their wedding and of how their relationship has developed.

Immigration officers are told to look out for ceremonies with no family present, a lack of intimacy ('if the couple does not kiss on the lips') and no diamond rings.

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