News Release

Canada’s new government to facilitate the immigration of stateless Vietnamese living in the Philippines

Ottawa, May 22, 2007 — The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, today announced that Canada will facilitate the immigration of Vietnamese living in the Philippines without status since the late 1970s through humanitarian and compassionate provisions.

“Canada’s new government will make every effort to examine the special circumstances of this community, and to facilitate their immigration to Canada,” said Minister Finley. “We will work with the Vietnamese Canadian Federation to identify those still living in the Philippines without status.”

Following the fall of Saigon in 1975, more than half a million Vietnamese fled Vietnam, with many arriving in the Philippines. Several hundred Vietnamese eventually remained in the Philippines because they were not recognized as refugees by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. A number have since immigrated to other countries, including Canada, as part of an international effort to help them. But approximately 150 Vietnamese remain without status in the Philippines.

While this group is not considered to be in need of protection, they can apply for humanitarian and compassionate consideration. This is a discretionary provision under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act which allows for permanent residence to be granted on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. Applications received by December 31, 2007, will be considered on a priority basis. This does not guarantee acceptance. While the goal is to facilitate the immigration of these individuals to Canada, immigration officers must examine applications on a case-by-case basis and use their discretion to decide whether the case warrants exemption from the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and Regulations.

For further information (media only), please contact:

Philippe Mailhot
Press Secretary
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-954-1064

Marina Wilson
Spokesperson, Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650