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Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) has denied the federal government’s recent initiative to deport an alleged high-ranking member of the Iranian regime residing within its borders. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) claims that this individual holds a significant position in the Islamic Republic’s government.
During a hearing that took place behind closed doors, the IRB opted not to issue a deportation order, as confirmed by the CBSA. This ruling marks the first instance of the IRB opposed to the government’s efforts since it declared a policy to exclude senior Iranian officials from Canada.
The IRB has withheld the specifics of its decision from Global News, including the identity of the Iranian national involved. A request by Global News to attend the hearing was also turned down.
The CBSA has indicated that it is contesting this decision through an appeal to the IRB’s Immigration Appeal Division but has refrained from providing further comments on the case.
Women, Life, Freedom Movement
In November 2022, Canada’s ministers responsible for public safety and immigration revealed their intensified crackdown on members of Iran’s regime in response to the violent repression of protests advocating for women’s rights in Iran. These protests erupted following the tragic death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who succumbed to injuries sustained while in the custody of the morality police for allegedly wearing a hijab incorrectly.
The outcry over her death ignited the Women, Life, Freedom movement, which faced severe suppression from Iranian authorities, resulting in mass arrests and fatalities among demonstrators. In light of these events, Canada officially designated the Iranian regime as a perpetrator of terrorism and widespread human rights abuses.
The aim of this policy was to prevent senior officials of the Iranian government from entering Canada and to initiate deportation for those already in the country. Sean Fraser, then the immigration minister, emphasized, “Perpetrators of gross and systematic human rights abuses are not welcome in this country.”
Two Years into Crackdown: One Deportation Achieved
Over the course of two years, authorities have identified 18 suspected high-ranking officials from the Iranian regime residing in Canada. However, only three deportation hearings have taken place, with the latest yielding no positive outcome for the government.
Previously, deportation orders were issued for Seyed Salman Samani, Iran’s former deputy interior minister, and Majid Iranmanesh, a scientific advisor to the Iranian vice-president. Despite these orders, only one individual has been successfully deported under the current policy, raising questions about its effectiveness and enforcement.
There are still six additional cases pending before the Refugee Board, with the IRB choosing to keep the identities of these alleged officials confidential while restricting media and public access to related hearings.
A spokesperson for the CBSA noted that the ban on Iranian senior officials serves as a preventative strategy, effectively barring these individuals from entering Canada. Following the introduction of this policy, 84 visas were revoked by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada.
Furthermore, the spokesperson stated that this policy allows the CBSA to take immigration action against those officials who arrived in Canada prior to its enactment. However, the deportation process can be complicated by various factors, including ongoing appeals by the affected individuals.
The Iranian regime has been recognized as a key contributor to instability in the Middle East and supports groups such as Hezbollah, Yemen’s Houthis, and Hamas, further complicating the regional landscape marked by conflict and unrest.
The implications of Iran’s actions extend beyond regional borders, as evidenced by the 2020 incident when its Islamic Revolutionary Guard allegedly shot down a passenger aircraft, claiming the lives of 55 Canadians and 30 permanent residents.
In a related case, hearings are set to begin next month regarding the deportation of a Toronto resident accused of facilitating Iran’s evasion of international sanctions. Arash and Amin Yousefijam, who were convicted in the United States for running a sanctions-dodging operation, returned to Ontario after their sentences and altered their identities through the province’s name change system. One of the men, now known as Ameen Cohen, later faced disciplinary action from Ontario’s dental regulatory body after his past was uncovered by media outlets.
Deportation hearings for Arash Cohen are anticipated to begin on February 25, amidst broader concerns regarding national security and the integrity of Canadian immigration policy.
Source
globalnews.ca