Canada’s New Immigration Law Feared to Fracture Families

The federal government is planning on restricting the definition of “dependent child” in immigration law by reducing the eligible age. Ottawa proposes to narrow the definition to someone younger 19 years of age, rather than the current 22, and also moves to eliminate an exception for older children who study full time.

According to The Star, the move has negatively affected the lives of families already, such as that of Lourdes Octaviano Tolentino. Tolentino arrived in Canada last summer under the live-in caregiver program. She is ineligible to apply for permanent residency until June 2014. By then, her now 18-year-old son will be over the age limit under the new law, meaning that she cannot sponsor him to join her in Canada.

Critics claim the plan will split even more families, affecting the over 80,000 live-in caregivers, as well as countless refugees in Canada awaiting family reunifications. According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, dependents under the age of 19 made up 90 per cent, or 64,757, of all sponsored children to Canada in 2012, while those 19 or over made up just 10 per cent, or 7,237.

The federal government claims the change will mean new arrivals will have more time “to learn an official language and adapt to Canadian cultural traits and social norms.” They’ve also suggested older children try and come to Canada separately as an international student, pursuing immigration on their own after graduation.

However, international students often must pay double or triple the tuition rate of Canadian students, a reality that renders the path impossible for many. Tolentino laments the fact, noting that she only makes around $1000 a month, and already sends most of it home.

STORY WRITTEN BY: SPOON JUNG