Introduction:
A ‘non-status’ immigrant is a person without legal status which allows him/her to live to reside as a permanent citizen in Canada. A person can become a ‘non-status’ if for instance his /her refugee application has been turned down, and this person does not have legal documents to support his stay there. Some of these documents include visa, student visa or the work permit. Once you possess these documents and they expire, you automatically become a ‘non-status’ Just like any other citizen, the ‘non-status’ immigrant, contributes in developing their communities either by paying tax, and raising families. Due to the fact that they lack status, they are highly barred from enjoying various rights just like the other citizens. Some of the rights that they are denied access to are: the right of protection and political rights like participation in voting, workers rights like joining available workers unions, unfair treatments from bosses and being underpaid unlike their counterparts who have legal status, they also do not have full social rights like the legal citizens.
According to Alfredo Barahona, Toronto alone is a home to approximately thirty thousand ‘non- status’ But despite their enormous contribution towards the society, they are still mistreated and even women are raped only that they cannot report it to the authorities since by so doing, they will be risking deportation. ‘Non-status’ community live stressfully and in fear of being caught. Every time they are afraid that they might wake up one morning only to find immigration officers in their doors ready to deport them, (Barahona, 2010)
Conclusion:
It is imperative for everyone to acknowledge the fact that human rights have to be highly respected and that no one should be victimized under whatever circumstance. Every human being was created equally and therefore remains equal before the eyes of the lord regardless to the fact that this person has, or has no status. The government of Canada should put in place tight measures that will secure the rights of every human residing there.
References:
(1997): Applied History Research group
Barahona, A. (2010): God’s people: A people on the move.
