Feds cut off deportation appeal avenues for immigrants convicted of crimes

OTTAWA – The Conservative government is moving to force immigrants convicted of crimes out of Canada faster.

New legislation tabled today could see even those who have been in Canada for decades kicked out if they are sentenced to more than six months in jail.

Currently, anyone who is not a Canadian citizen and is sentenced to less than two years in prison can appeal a deportation order.

The government says there are more than 2,700 such cases currently in the system and the average case takes 15 months to process.

The new legislation — called the Faster Removal of Criminals Act — also slams the door shut on a number of different ways those convicted of crimes both in Canada and abroad attempt to come or stay in Canada.

It includes removing appeals on humanitarian and compassionate grounds and refusing entry to family members.

The new bill also gives the ministers of public safety and immigration broader powers to dictate who is allowed in Canada and who can’t come in.