Nearly half of foreign border crossers flagged as security risks were let into the country by the Department of Immigration, according to an internal audit. The report did not detail any follow-up on thousands of foreigners permitted to stay in Canada despite “admissibility concerns.”.“Due to multiple factors and considerations the Department of Immigration authorized entry or permission to stay in Canada to a significant proportion of applicants who had received a non-favourable recommendation or an inconclusive screening,” said the report Evaluation Of The Immigration National Security Screening Program by the Canada Border Services Agency..According to Blacklock's Reporter, the Agency reviewed cases of foreigners it deemed a risk. Of 7,673 people it flagged as a security concern a total 3,314 or 43% were allowed into Canada by the Department of Immigration..Of another 14,290 foreigners whose files the Agency marked “inconclusive,” meaning that “concerns may exist and cannot be ruled out” due to missing paperwork, a total 11,575 or 81% were let into Canada by the immigration department..“Only 10% were refused,” wrote auditors. “The remaining applications were withdrawn or were pending a decision.” Reasons given by the Department of Immigration included “national interest” or simple disagreement with the Border Service Agency’s findings, said Evaluation..“The National Security Screening Program may issue an inconclusive finding result on an application,” said the report. “There are various scenarios under which this could occur, e.g. missing information.”.The Agency flagged foreigners as security risks under the Immigration And Refugee Act. Grounds included suspicions of “espionage,” “subversion,” “terrorism,” “danger to the security of Canada,” “war crimes” and gang membership. “All adult individuals who submit a refugee claim in Canada aged 18 and older are subject to the front-end security screening process,” wrote auditors..The new figures follow a December 14 Agency report that foreign fugitives had a better than 50-50 chance of evading deportation in Canada. Of 13,287 people ordered deported since 2016 only 6,322 were known to have left Canada, according to an Inquiry Of Ministry tabled in the Commons. The rest “are still awaiting enforcement,” it said..The Agency said it took an average six months to enforce a deportation order. Management has complained of onerous rules that required it to hear and re-hear evidence against foreigners deemed to be in Canada illegally before they could be deported, including people convicted of serious crimes.
