Regularization Program for Status for All Now!
Migrant Rights Network Holds Strategizing Meeting
On February 22, the Migrant Rights Network held a cross-Canada online meeting with a number of allied organizations. The Migrant Rights Network is an alliance of some 40 organizations building a migrant-led movement to win full and permanent immigration status for all migrants, including undocumented people. Those participating in the meeting hailed from all sectors of society. There were community and health groups that work directly with the undocumented, asylum claimants and refugees; those working on the legal and other fronts in their defence; as well as working class and other organizations involved in the struggle for status for all, among them the Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist).
The
meeting's purpose was to hear updates and jointly develop
strategies within the context of federal Immigration Minister Marc
Miller's recent announcement. Miller said that he is working on a
"broad and comprehensive program" for certain undocumented migrants
that he is planning to bring to
Cabinet this spring.
Participants condemned the Immigration Minister's sketchy announcements and the fact that many would be excluded. They also brought attention to the fact that deportations are on the rise. They decried the hostile atmosphere towards refugee claimants being created by various politicians and the monopoly media that blame them for problems in housing, health care and education, which governments at various levels are themselves responsible for. Often refugee claimants seeking asylum are called "illegal," violating the letter of refugee law which affirms that a refugee can cross a border irrespective of whether it is an official border crossing or not. In the case of undocumented workers, the label "illegal" is for purposes of fearmongering and justifying their criminalization.
The representatives of the various organizations resolved to step up their work to exert maximum pressure on the federal government for a dignified regularization program that provides status for all. This will begin with a mass letter-writing campaign to the Prime Minister and the Immigration Minister before the latter takes his proposal to Cabinet. They are also planning and joining various actions to bring awareness to the need for status for all. This is part of a mass education campaign they are embarking upon to counter the federal government's racist policies and proposals by involving Canadians from all walks of life in the struggle.
This article was published in
Volume 54 Number 14 - February 28, 2024
Article Link:
https://cpcml.ca/Tmlm2024/Articles/MS54142.HTM
Website: www.cpcml.ca Email: editor@cpcml.ca