Marku & Lee Immigration and Refugee Lawyers

09/04/2024

Around the world, the right to seek asylum continues to be threatened and attacked.

Let us be clear - no matter who you are, seeking asylum is a human right. Today, and every day.

09/03/2024

Newcomers do Canada's most dangerous and thankless jobs. The Migrant Rights Network is calling for an end to the exploitation and scapegoating of newcomers and status for all. This is the safest and most sane immigration policy.

Status for all would make it significantly more difficult for farms to imprison migrant workers on their property (we've seen it happen), for businesses to traffic migrant workers from city to city (we've seen it happen), for shady employers to confiscate the passports of migrant nannies and caregivers (seen it) - the list goes on.

, so that every human being in Canada has the same rights regardless of immigration status.

09/02/2024

Happy Labour Day!

Image source: Ricardo Levins Morales Art Studio, https://www.rlmartstudio.com/

08/30/2024

Happy Friday everyone! We are ending the week with Marku & Lee's favourite homey foods. This week Hana is going first with burek, a Balkan classic.

What is it: a phyllo dough pie that you can fill with all kinds of good things (Hana has tried variations with cheese, meat, spinach, pumpkin, and leeks)

Where is it from: all over the Balkans and the Middle East!

When do you eat it: whenever you want!

How do you eat it: Hana's preference is with her hands, with Ayran (a salty yogurt drink great for hot summer days).

Image source: Balkan Lunch Box, an excellent resource for lovers of Balkan food! Check them out here: https://balkanlunchbox.com/

08/29/2024

International students underwrite the cost of public postsecondary education in Canada. It is high time we stopped scapegoating them and exploiting them

Canadians need to understand that an entire industry of education agents and consultants abroad prey on international students. Canadian colleges and universities directly benefit from the services of agents who funnel international students and international fees into their classrooms. Canada has been a willing participant in this shady economy.

It's almost the first day of school and instead of worrying about their courses, many international students are left thinking their future in this country. ...

08/28/2024

This Toronto Star story shows why the CBSA needs civilian oversight NOW.

Here are the highlights: Mr. Oladipupo was in immigration detention and facing deportation to Nigeria. He had repeatedly indicated he was suicidal. The evidence on record showed that he committed acts of self harm while in detention.

CBSA not only told the Federal Court that their doctors determined he was "fit to fly," they also said they had lined up a hospital in Nigeria for his care upon arrival.

Except that was not true. Mr. Oladipupo's lawyer from the Refugee Law Office proved that the hospital in Nigeria had not committed to admitting or treating Mr. Oladipupo.

Justice Ahmed said he was "deeply unsettled" by this revelation and blocked the deportation. He said the government's behaviour was "unnerving, approaching unacceptable."

In response, CBSA's lawyers said this whole affair was just a "miscommunication," and that Mr. Oladipupo should be deported anyway.

Our humble opinion: telling a judge that you have lined up "care upon arrival" at a foreign hospital, when you have not actually done so, is what is otherwise referred to as a "lie." A great decision, but an unacceptable and infuriating set of facts.

08/15/2024

We have been busy since day 1 of Marku & Lee! We have been proud to represent families, workers, refugees, and displaced folk from all over the world. Starting in September, our office will have capacity to take on new files again 😊

Reach out to us if you need help with the following:

- You have been accused of misrepresenting yourself in your refugee claim (vacation of refugee status),
- You have been accused of no longer needing Canada's refugee protection (cessation of refugee status),
- Your application has been refused and you need the Federal Court to judicially review your case (we are especially interested in facts involving visa officer misconduct),
- Your sponsorship application was refused on the basis of genuineness (sponsorship appeal before the Immigration Appeal Division),
- You are risk of losing your permanent residency because of criminality (appealing a removal order before the Immigration Appeal Division),
- You are a person without status seeking to remain in Canada on humanitarian and compassionate grounds,
- Your refugee claim was refused and you are seeking to appeal the refusal (Refugee Appeal Division),
- You want to sponsor your family member to come to Canada.

Fill out our intake form to set up a consultation (we try to respond within 24-48 hours): https://lnkd.in/gRuJqdsb

01/16/2024

"If I was [Palestinian], I would find this 1,000 person cap to be slap in the face, considering that we're talking about a population that's on the brink of starvation, living in tents, being bombed from the sky every day," Marku said. "If I was a Palestinian-Canadian, how should I interpret that 1,000 number?"

Our partner, Hana Marku, spoke to CBC News on why Canada must urgently expand the program to reunify Palestinian-Canadian families with loved ones in Gaza.

The federal government has officially launched its special immigration measures program for extended family members of Palestinian Canadians trying to escape the war in Gaza, allowing 1,000 of them to move to Canada temporarily. Refugee advocates have criticized some of the program requirements.

01/04/2024

Happy New Year! Wishing you and your loved ones all the best in 2024.